February 2005
Breathe for better blood pressure
Biofeedback is, well, back. Scientists at Chicago' Rush University Medical Center monitored the blood pressure of 149 people, 89 of whom tried the FDA-approved RESPeRATE, a CD-player-sized gadget, for 15 minutes a day for 2 months. When they strapped on the machine's chest sensor and breathed in time to its music, they gradually slowed their breathing to a relaxed 10 breathes per minute. The result: an average 15-point drop in systolic blood pressure (top number) and 9-point drop in diastolic (bottom number).
Slow breathing signals the brain, says Joseph Marek, MD, a cardiologist and hypertension specialist. "Muscles around blood vessels relax, and blood flows more easily." Talk to your doctor before using RESPeRATE; it costs about $300 (usually not covered by insurance). Visit www.resperate.com for more info.
.58