Breathing exercises to lower high blood pressure

Savvy_Sue

Has anyone used this from Lloyds, or anything similar at the sub £50 level? Did it work, and how did you find it?

I wish Boots did their own brand, because I have a lot of points I'd happily spend, but they only do the Resperate as far as I can say, and no, just no, not at that price :eek:

trumpton

I've never heard of these devices before. Reviews on the Lloyds website are kind of mixed, more hopeful than actually saying they work. Amazon reviews not very good.

I am assuming you have made changes to your diet already as that's the first place to start I would say. A cheaper alternative to the Lloyds device would be a breathing meditation cd. Jon Kabbat Zinn is foremost in this field and his 'Mindful Way through Depression' book comes with a meditation cd which has breathing exercises.

It's not really about depression though, so don't let that put you off.

Molly41

My FIL has had great results with one that has been loaned to him through his GP.

Savvy_Sue

I made changes to my diet years ago but it didn't seem to make much difference. I had to go on medication for a while pre-op, but it didn't lower my BP enough to make me willing to put up with the side effects. TBH, I think that my 'normal' is always going to look high, but there's no allowance made for that these days, as far as I can see.

Only I've just been refused life insurance, and I suspect that the combination of weight and high BP is to blame. Getting more information sent to my GP, who's always accepted that it's not high enough that I HAVE to medicate!

trumpton

Ah, that's tricky then if you have already cut out salt etc. If you feel you have tried the diet and exercise path with no real results, then maybe it may be worth giving the Lloyds machine a go. I would be interested to hear if they have any long-term effect on blood pressure levels.

Bronnie

Just wondering though if you think the dietary changes you made were enough, if you made them years ago and yet you say weight is still an issue? Do you also exercise? What about alcohol consumption?

Only say this because I am a bit averse to buying gadgets. Whilst they may give some hope as a last resort or make the buyer feel as though they are taking action, there is usually a free way to achieve the similar ends, although more efort/willpower may be required.

Savvy_Sue

Clearly the dietary changes weren't enough, as weight is still an issue, but I don't think this is the place to go into all that.

I won't say I never drink, because I may have a small glass at Christmas or other special occasions, but it's no more than once a month, and even that often would be unusual. So definitely not alcohol.

Exercise has been on and off for various reasons, again not going to go into that now. I'm currently swimming 2 or 3 times a week but because I'm an untidy back stroke swimmer there has to be space in the (small) pool I use, and as I'm often there after work, it can be very busy.

OK, so where to buy more willpower ... at a good price. :rotfl:

Bronnie

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

OK, so where to buy more willpower ... at a good price. :rotfl:

......when you find out let me know, please

Racheldevon

I would second the Jon Kabat Zinn mindfulness CDs, which are very much focused on your breathing. I have several and find them very good, there's one called meditation for optimum health which is good, as is the mindfulness introduction cd, and the one for pain relief. This book is also fairly good, and comes with a CD of guided breathing/practice sessions http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mindfulness-practical-guide-finding-frantic/dp/074995308X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340703267&sr=8-1 based largely around the mindfulness based stress reduction programme

Savvy_Sue

Thanks all.

I have been thinking: if I could spend 15 minutes Resperating or the Lloyds equivalent every day, I could spend 15 minutes going for a brisk walk. So I have done that for the last few days.

Had to see my GP today for something else, but he did take my BP and it wasn't great. I've said I'll do some of my own readings at home and I have to go back and see him about the other thing in a month.

I realised talking to him that I need a change of mindset: I know people who eat breakfast, go to bed early and get plenty of sleep lose weight more easily than those who grab a breakfast bar on their way out through the door, stay up late on MSE and survive on 5-6 hours sleep. Well, I think you can guess which kind of person I am, but maybe I need to be the other kind?

I do have a relax and sleep CD: I can vouch for its effectiveness for sleep, but again, I'll carve out some relaxation time (before I take the BP. )