Treating Hypertension With Breath Control

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Treat Hypertension by Regularising and Slowing Breathing

The purpose of this study is to determine if blood pressure can be reduced in hypertensive subjects by regularising and slowing their breathing. This may be a safe and affordable complementary treatment for hypertension.

This is a randomised controlled trial in which hypertensive subjects allocated to receive either a CD with relaxation music or one with the same music plus certain sound cues to guide the listener on when to breathe. The subjects will continue with their normal medications and the intervention will last 2 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Above 18 years old
• Patients with essential hypertension
• Systolic BP from 140 to 159 mm Hg
• Diastolic BP from 90 to 99 mm Hg
• On hypertensive medication for at least 3 months before the study
• Hypertensive medication unchanged during the 3 months before the study
• Patients able to fill in a log sheet

Exclusion Criteria:

• ischaemic heart disease
• congestive heart failure
• cardiac arrhythmias
• renal failure
• diabetes mellitus
• previous stroke
• major organ failure
• cigarette smoking
• respiratory diseases
• psychiatric disorders
• severe obesity (BMI >35 kg/m2)
• hearing impairment
• unable to operate a CD player or do not have access to a CD player
• arm circumference <22 cm. or >42 cm.