High blood pressure occurs when the pressure inside the veins and arteries that carry the blood around the body is too high.
If blood pressure remains at excessive levels for too long this can increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.
Researcher Daniel Craighead said some exercises can work as well as medicine in reducing blood pressure.
Researcher Daniel Craighead said some exercises can work as well as medicine in reducing blood pressure.
Whattype of exercisees are they
These exercises are a form of muscle, also known as resistance, training.
According to Craighead, there is evidence to suggest that strengthening the muscles we use to breathe will improve cardiovascular health.
Craighead, who was speaking to National Public Radio (NPR), said: “The muscles we use to breathe atrophy, just like the rest of our muscles tend to do as we get older.”
As part of an experiment to see whether increasing the size of the breathing muscles helps
Craighead asked volunteers between the ages of 18 and 82 to try a five-minute breathing exercise using a special device.