Slow breathing reduces chemoreflex response to hypoxia and hypercapnia, and increases baroreflex sensitivity

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether breathing more slowly modifies the sensitivity of the chemoreflex and baroreflex. DESIGN SETTING: University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen healthy individuals. INTERVENTIONS: Progressive isocapnic hypoxia and progressive hyperoxic hypercapnia were measured during spontaneous breathing and during a breathing rate fixed at 6 and 15 breaths per minute (b.p.m.). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Variations in chemo- and baroreflex sensitivity (by monitoring ventilation, oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide, R-R interval and blood pressure) induced by different breathing rates. RESULTS: Breathing at 6 b.p.m. depressed (P < 0.01) both hypoxic and hypercapnic chemoreflex responses, compared with spontaneous or 15 b.p.m. controlled breathing. Hypoxic and hypercapnic responses during spontaneous breathing correlated with baseline spontaneous breathing rate (r = -0.52 and r = +0.51, respectively; P = 0.05). Baroreflex sensitivity was greater (P < 0.05) during slow breathing at baseline and remained greater at end rebreathing. CONCLUSIONS: Slow breathing reduces the chemoreflex response to both hypoxia and hypercapnia. Enhanced baroreflex sensitivity might be one factor inhibiting the chemoreflex during slow breathing. A slowing breathing rate may be of benefit in conditions such as chronic heart failure that are associated with inappropriate chemoreflex activation.