Nonpharmacologic treatment of resistant hypertensives by device-guided slow breathing exercises.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have demonstrated the antihypertensive effect of slow breathing exercises, guided interactively by a device, in patients with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) without changing medication. This study examined the response to the same treatment protocol in resistant hypertensives.


METHODS
Seventeen resistant hypertensives exercised device-guided slow breathing for 8 weeks, 15 min daily, and self-monitored BP. Data stored in the devices were collected on a PC-based system. Clinical outcomes were office and home BP changes from baseline to end values.


RESULTS
Significant reductions in both office BP (-12.9/-6.9 mm Hg, P <.001 and home BP (-6.4/-2.6 mm Hg, P <.01/P <.05) without side effects with 82% responders and good compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
Resistant hypertensives can benefit from and are compliant with self-treatment by device-guided slow breathing.
Viskoper
Reuven
R
WHO Collaborative Center for Prevention of CVD, the Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, affiliated to the University of the Negev in Beer-Sheva, Ashkelon, Israel. reuvenv@barzi.health.gov.il
Shapira
Irena
I
Priluck
Rita
R
Mindlin
Rina
R
Chornia
Larissa
L
Laszt
Anny
A
Dicker
Dror
D
Gavish
Benjamin
B
Alter
Ariela
A
D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance