Background: Hypertension remains highly prevalent in postmenopausal women, along with vascular dysfunction and increased oxidative stress. In such context, regular exercises, yoga practice, and slow breathing have been recommended to treat hypertension. However, the effects of the multiple components of yoga, including the respiratory techniques involved in the practice, on hypertension and on vascular and endothelial function have never been evaluated. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the additional effects of respiratory technique on vascular function and oxidative stress profile in hypertensive postmenopausal women (HPMWs) following yoga or stretching video classes. Study Design: Hypertensive postmenopausal women were recruited and randomized for 12 weeks, twice a week, of supervised yoga or stretching video classes of 75 min for 12 weeks associated or not with respiratory technique. Baseline and post-intervention measurements included pulse wave velocity (PWV), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and oxidative stress parameters. Hypertensive postmenopausal women (59 ± 0.7 years) who ended the protocol were distributed into three groups: (1) control group (yoga or stretching, C, n = 14); (2) yoga + respiratory technique (Y+, n = 10); (3) stretching + respiratory technique (S+, n = 9). Results: Diastolic blood pressure and FMD [baseline: C: 6.94 ± 1.97%, Y+: 7.05 ± 1.65%, and S+: 3.54 ± 2.01% vs. post: C: 16.59 ± 3.46% ( p = 0.006), Y+: 13.72 ± 2.81% ( p = 0.005), and S+: 11.79 ± 0.99% ( p = 0.0001)] have significantly increased in all groups when baseline and post-practice values were compared. However, resting heart rate and PWV [baseline: Y+: 10.44 ± 3.69 and S+: 9.50 ± 0.53 m/s vs. post: Y+: 9.45 ± 0.39 ( p = 0.003) and S+: 8.02 ± 0.47 m/s ( p = 0.003)] decreased significantly only in the Y+ and S+ groups (baseline vs. post). Systemic antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase) increased in all groups, and hydrogen peroxide and lipoperoxidation reduced in Y+ and S+ (baseline vs. post). Conclusions: Twelve weeks of yoga or stretching video classes promoted positive changes in several outcomes generally regarded as cardiovascular risk factors in HPMWs, and these changes were even more pronounced by the association with respiratory technique.

BackgroundStress is a state of threat to the balance of the organism, which can cause biological and psychological changes. In hypertensive patients, stress can interfere with blood pressure levels, influence on food choices and neglect of the diet.ObjectiveThis study aims to describe the relationship between stress and dietary intake of hypertensive patients.MethodsA transversal study was carried out at the Arterial Hypertension Clinic of the Cardiology Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The participants were aged ≥ 18 years and hypertensive. Blood pressure, food consumption and anthropometric measurements were collected. The variables related to stress were evaluated by the Lipp’s Stress Symptoms Inventory (LSSI) for adults. Significance level of 5% has been considered for all analyzed data.ResultsThe number of participants was 100. There was a higher prevalence of the female sex (67%), the mean age of the study population was 55.87 ± 12.55 years. Among the participants, 86% were classified in some of the stress phases, on which 57% were in the resistance phase. It was observed that there was no correlation between the presence of stress (as well as their actions), pressure levels and food consumption. The consumption of foods rich in lipids and individuals with a prevalence of psychological symptoms of stress displayed a significant association.ConclusionsRich in fat dietary has been the first choice in patients with psychological symptoms of stress. Further studies regarding remodeled dietary intake and blood pressure levels in relation to the stress phases are suggested. These findings are important to contribute to the development of prevention and treatment strategies for cardiovascular diseases.

BackgroundRespiratory exercises have proven to be an effective non-pharmacologic intervention for the treatment and prevention of hypertension 1 and psychological states, such as anxiety and depression. 2 However, not much has been demonstrated concerning respiratory patterns that could be considered critical parameters for health issues.Most respiratory evaluations are related to pulmonary function (spirometry) or respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure) and made by means of a mouth device that could interfere with most people's natural breathing. 3 Abdominal cavity and rib cage movements involved in respiration have the potential to be evaluated (piezoelectric belts), but

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