Voluntary slow breathing exercise significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (MD -7.68), diastolic blood pressure (MD -4.02), and heart rate (MD -1.15) in patients with hypertension.
Does voluntary slow breathing exercise reduce blood pressure and heart rate in patients with hypertension?
Voluntary slow breathing exercise is an effective non-pharmacological adjunct that significantly reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with hypertension.
ABSTRACT Background Non‐pharmacological interventions are increasingly recognized as complementary approaches in the management of hypertension. Among various non‐pharmacological interventions, voluntary slow breathing exercise has been proposed as a simple and accessible approach, but its comprehensive effects on cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive patients remain to be systematically summarized. Aim This systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to quantitatively assess the effects of voluntary slow breathing exercise on cardiovascular parameters in individuals with hypertension. Methods Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted literature searches in four major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) to identify eligible studies. Meta‐analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software. Effect sizes were pooled by calculating mean differences (MDs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A fixed‐effects or random‐effects model was used according to the results of the heterogeneity test. Results A total of thirteen studies met the predefined inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis demonstrated that voluntary slow breathing exercise significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (MD = −7.68; 95% CI: −9.87, −5.49; p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (MD = −4.02; 95% CI: −5.44, −2.60; p < 0.001), and heart rate (MD = −1.15; 95% CI: −1.73, −0.56; p < 0.001) compared to control conditions. Additionally, a significant reduction in the low‐frequency to high‐frequency power ratio (LF/HF) was observed (MD = −1.09; 95% CI: −1.94, −0.23; p = 0.01), indicating improved autonomic modulation. Conclusion Voluntary slow breathing exercise appears to be an effective adjuvant non‐pharmacological intervention for improving cardiovascular function, particularly in reducing blood pressure and heart rate, in patients with hypertension. These findings support its potential integration into hypertension management strategies.
Cheng et al. (2026) studied this question. Voluntary slow breathing exercise significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (MD -7.68), diastolic blood pressure (MD -4.02), and heart rate (MD -1.15) in patients with hypertension.
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