Vol. 3, Issue 1, Part A (2026)

Effect of abdominal deep breathing on blood pressure in hypertensive patients

Author(s):

Chinju Verghese Kannanaickal B

Abstract:

Hypertension is a global health issue that necessitates readily accessible treatments. Deep breathing may assist in lowering blood pressure by enhancing parasympathetic tone and reducing sympathetic activity. The understanding of its physiological processes and long-term effects remains limited. This study examines the application of deep breathing exercises as an adjunct therapy for hypertension, aiming to clarify the therapeutic benefits of these practices. The study employed a quantitative one-group pre-test-post-test design for its research methodology. At KDP Hospital in Atkot, a total of forty hypertension patients were deliberately selected, with twenty assigned to the experimental group and twenty to the control group. On the initial day, both groups underwent preliminary assessments. The participants in the experiment performed abdominal deep breathing exercises twice daily over the course of five days. The control group did not undergo any form of intervention. On the seventh day, post-tests were conducted. The analysis of the data utilized both descriptive and inferential statistics. The research findings indicated that both the experimental group and the control group exhibited similar pre-test results and demographic characteristics. Although both groups experienced a reduction in blood pressure, the experimental group that practiced abdominal deep breathing demonstrated a significantly greater improvement. In the post-test analysis, the systolic pressure showed a decrease from a pre-test average of 149.9 ±15.46 to 120.40±9.54, yielding a t value of 14.53 (p<0.001). Additionally, a reduction in diastolic pressure from 110.45±7.19 to 88.1±6.29 was noted, with a t value of 14.86 (p<0.001), confirming the acceptance of hypothesis H1. Several factors demonstrated a significant association with blood pressure, including the type of occupation, the presence of co-morbid conditions, and the lifestyle choices made. The results indicate that individuals with hypertension who practice abdominal deep breathing experience a notable decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure through this method.

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How to cite this article:
Chinju Verghese Kannanaickal B. Effect of abdominal deep breathing on blood pressure in hypertensive patients. J. Med. Surg. Nurs. 2026;3(1):01-06. DOI: 10.33545/30790506.2026.v3.i1.A.26