Q. My blood pressure was around 150/80 for several years and I was not willing to take medicine for it. In January I started using the RESPeRATE device 15 minutes three times a week. Gradually my pressure came down and now it is in the range of 120/70 or lower.
Now I don’t use the machine unless my numbers inch back up. All it takes is once or twice and the blood pressure goes back down and stays down for a good while.
A. A recent randomized trial did not find the RESPeRATE biofeedback machine helpful (JAMA Internal Medicine, July 22, 2013). Your experience, however, is similar to earlier reports (Cardiology in Review, Mar-Apr, 2011).
Karen said:
“I have been using RESPeRATE for five years and it has been very helpful in lowering my blood pressure. At each session you place headphones on your ears and a breathing monitor on your chest. The small machine then begins to count the number of breaths per minute you are taking and then gradually through a series of tones or if you chose tones and musical notes lowers your breathing downward over the course of 15 minutes.
“To achieve results you have to work over time to achieving 10 breaths or lower per minute. It is almost like meditative breathing. The machine prompts you with verbal comments if you need correction in breathing technique especially if you hold your breath instead of gradually exhaling. This study is actually the only one that I have seen that has not found the machine to be very good at lowering blood pressure.”
