Effect of Alternate Nostril Breathing on Cardiac Output and Systemic Peripheral Resistance

Abstract

Alternate nostril breathing (ANB, Anulom-Vilom) is one of the most popular pranayama yogic exercises. The present study was done to find out direct effect of alternate nostril breathing on cardiac output and peripheral resistance by using Impedance Cardiovasograph (Nivomon, L&T Medical's). One hundred asymptomatic healthy male subjects, aged 17–23 years, participated voluntarily in the present study. Cardiac output, systemic peripheral resistance and other cardiovascular parameters were measured before and after Alternate Nostril Breathing (ANB) exercise of 15 minutes. Statistically significant decrement was observed in all cardiovascular parameters after ANB exercise but decrement was more pronounced in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), Systemic Peripheral Resistance (SPR) and Systemic Vascular Resistance Index (SVRI) incomparison to decrement in systolic blood pressure (SBP), cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume Index (SI).