BACKGROUNDEssential hypertension is a well-known predictor for cardiovascular disease, and it is mainly characterized by increased activity of sympathetic nervous system. As breathing exercises were known to reduce blood pressure by modulating autonomic nervous system activity, the present study was done to confirm the sympathetic lowering effect of alternate nostril breathing exercises in patients with essential hypertension by studying the haemodynamic parameters of left common carotid artery. We wanted to measure and compare the immediate effect of 30 minutes of ANB exercises on left common carotid artery diameter, Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV) and Resistive Index (RI) in hypertensive subjects.
METHODS40 hypertensives in the age group of 45-65 years of both the genders were recruited for this study. Study group involved 20 and the control group involved 20 hypertensive subjects. Diameter of left Common Carotid Artery (CCA), PSV & RI before and immediately after 30 minutes of ANB was assessed with Gray scale and Doppler ultrasound.
RESULTSA significant increase in vessel diameter (p <0.056) and decrease in PSV (p <0.010), RI (p=0.008) was observed after ANB exercises in the study group. In the control group, no significant change in vessel diameter (p =0. 485), RI (p<=0.789) & PSV (p=0.777) was seen after 30 minutes.
CONCLUSIONSSympathetic lowering effect of ANB exercises was evidenced by increase in vessel diameter, decrease in RI & PSV.