Techniques like 4-7-8 breathing to lower blood pressure are safe, inexpensive, and easy to learn.

Types of Breathing Exercises for High Blood Pressure

1.

Box Breathing

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Box breathing focuses on slowing down the breath in an even pattern.

A person doing a breathing exercise while in a yoga position at home

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To practicebox breathing:

4.

To practice diaphragmatic breathing:

5.

Pursed Lip Breathing

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Pursed lip breathing emphasizes long exhales.

Woman doing 4-7-8 breathing exercise

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To practice pursed lip breathing:

6.

Lions Breath

Lions breath can help release stress.

To practice lions breath:

7.

woman in sportswear doing alternative nostril breathing exercise

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Ujjayi Pranayama

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Ujjayi pranayama is also known as yogic breathing.

This breath is typically used when practicing yoga poses.

you’re able to use any of the breathing techniques listed here.

Mature woman practicing yoga at home in her living room

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This allows them to concentrate fully on the breathing exercise.

Most people take 12 to 20 breaths per minute.

Slowbreathing techniques lowerthe rate to four to 10 breaths a minute.

woman concentrating on breathing exercises at home

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Other Ways to Lower Blood Pressure

Need to lower blood pressure further?

Try these other non-medicated ways:

In some cases, medication may be necessary to manage high blood pressure.

Added Benefits With Comorbidities

Breath work can improve symptoms of a variety of other conditions.

Woman with eyes closed doing breathing exercise

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The breath is often shallow, barely causing an expansion in the ribs.

Shifting to this pop in of breathing on a regular basis can improve overall health.

Summary

Many different breathing exercises can help lower blood pressure.

Pranayama

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These include the 4-7-8 breathing technique, box breathing, and lions breath.

People with other conditions who practice breathing techniques may experience added benefits.

Hamasaki H.Effects of diaphragmatic breathing on health: a narrative review.Medicines (Basel).

2020;7(10):65. doi:10.3390/medicines7100065

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.The power of breath: diaphragmatic breathing.

2023;325(6):R797-R808.