Pranayama and hypertension: Need for investigation

Abstract

Hypertension is an important and growing public health challenge worldwide. Though various studies have been conducted to study effect of particular type of pranayama on hypertension, a combination of various techniques has not been evaluated in this regard. Present study was thus carried to compare levels of hypertension in patients practicing pranayama and those who are not. The experimental group practiced a specially designed pranayama module of practical Pranayama for mild hypertension under expert supervision. Weight and blood pressure of all the patients were measured at the beginning and at the end of every month. Though the average blood pressure increased with respect to increase in physical activity, the difference was not statistically significant in cases and controls. Qualitative analysis of reviews of participants recorded after the completion of workshop revealed that all of them felt relaxed and energized after practice of pranayama. Better control over anger was also mentioned by two participants. All of them said that they will continue to practice of pranayama. Present study noted that the regular practice of yoga and pranayama can be helpful in relaxing the mind of practitioners, thereby making them feel better which, in turn, may prove to be helpful in reducing blood pressure over a period of time. Keywords: Blood pressure, Hypertension, pranayama.