Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 2006, Vol 8, Issue 5, Suppl A

Title: The Changes of Noninvasive Hemodynamic Parameters after Device-Guided Slow Breathing Exercise in Hypertensive Patients

Jang-Young Kim, MD¹, Myung-Sook Han, RN1, Ho-Hyeol Yoo, MD¹, Hyun-Min Choe, MD¹, Byung-Su Yoo, MD¹, Seung-Hwan Lee, MD¹, Junghan Yoon, MD¹ and Kyung-Hoon Choe, MD¹. ¹Cardiology, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju, Kangwondo, Republic of Korea, 220-701.

Body: Background and Objectives: Device-guided breathing (DGB) exercises have a potential to become a nonpharmacologic treatment of high blood pressure (BP). The changes of hemodynamic variables after DGB exercise are unclear. Recently, impedance cardiography (ICG) has gained popularity as a noninvasive method to measure hemodynamic variables in hypertensive patients. This study evaluated the effect of DBG exercises on hemodynamic variables measured by ICG.

Subjects and Methods: Twenty-two hypertensive individuals (male 50%, age 46+10yr, BMI 253 kg/m2)with systolic BP (SBP) 140-179 mmHg and diastolic BP (DBP) <110 mmHg were enrolled. These patients were monitored for 8 weeks and also engaged in 15 min daily sessions with DGB (RESPeRATE, InterCure) exercises. Heart rate (HR) and BP were measured at baseline and after DGB exercises for 8 weeks. Noninvasive hemodynamic parameters were measured using the BioZ ICG Monitor (CardioDynamics, CA) by a technician after 5 min of rest in the supine position at baseline and after DGB exercises for 8 weeks. We measured cardiac index [CI], stroke index [SI], thoracic fluid content [TFC], systemic vascular resistance index [SVRI] and total arterial compliance index [TACI (stroke index/pulse pressure)].

Results: Office BP (SBP/DBP) was reduced from baseline to end value (meanSD) by 11.5+15.1 / 4.6 8.9 mmHg (p=0.002, p=0.026, respectively) without HR change and side effects. CI, SI and TFC were similar between baseline and end value (p>0.05). DBG exercises significantly reduced the SVRI (3309 + 702 vs. 2898 + 621 dyne sec m2/cm5, respectively p<0.001) and increased the TACI (0.71 +0.15 vs. 0.82 0.20 mmHg/mL/m2, respectively p=0.015).

Conclusion: DGB exercises significantly lowered blood pressure because it reduce systemic vascular resistance and increase total arterial compliance without change of HR, CI, SI and TFC.