How Inspiratory Muscle Training Can Lower Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure

Research reports significant drops in blood pressure and improvements in large-artery function following POWERbreathe Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training.

Research aired on NPR (National Public Radio) in the USA highlighted findings of how daily breath training with POWERbreathe IMST, using the POWERbreathe K3, can work as well as medicine to reduce high blood pressure.

A subsequent retrospective analysis of the aforementioned research provides the strongest evidence to date that POWERbreathe IMST (Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training) lowers blood pressure. New information provided in this analysis is that the effects are rapid (with initial reductions in blood pressure occurring within 2 weeks) and that blood pressure is reduced similarly in everyone regardless of age, sex, body weight, etc.

Read more about how to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally with POWERbreathe IMST

IMST Is Proven To Lower Blood Pressure

Research shows that 30 breaths using the POWERbreathe K-Series Inspiratory Muscle Training device will lower blood pressure. Just 5-minutes of POWERbreathe IMT lowers blood pressure as much as aerobic exercise and more than some medications

If you experience consistently high blood pressure, your GP is likely to offer you medication to lower it, alongside lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity. This research, however, offers a new, promising, drug-free way of lowering blood pressure naturally. However, you must never stop taking your prescribed medication and always speak to your GP before making any changes. Read Precautions and Contraindications.

IMST Protocol

All subjects in the trial performed 30 inspiratory manoeuvres:

5 sets of 6 inspiratory breaths
1-minute rest between sets
6 days per week
For 6 weeks

Breathing Load

55% PIMAX during week 1
65% PIMAX during week 2
75% PIMAX during weeks 3 to 6

The trial used the electronic POWERbreathe K3 IMT device which works out % PIMAX for you, using the S-Index test. Although it is not possible to perform a MIP test to determine % PIMAX using a POWERbreathe Plus ‘pressure threshold’ IMT device, you are still able to work this out (approximately).
Find out how here.

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Neuromuscular Disease

Respiratory complication is one of the most common progressive conditions associated with neuromuscular disease or disorder (NMD) and may be the result of inspiratory muscle weakness. You’ll notice signs such as extreme shortness of breath from slight effort, also known as dyspnoea; and use of your accessory respiratory muscles, which indicates effort when breathing. This […]

Pre and Post-op

Breathing Effort Following Surgery Breathing complications after major surgery can include pneumonia, bronchospasm and respiratory failure. In fact, weakness of the inspiratory muscles (the muscles you use to breathe in) was found in 25% of preoperative cardiac surgery patients in this trial. Inspiratory muscle weakness can also be the result of a number of causes, […]

Asthma

Breathing Effort In Asthma You’ll be familiar with symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. If your asthma is not well controlled you may find it difficult to breathe; breathe with short shallow breaths; or feel that you can’t maintain your usual level of activity. Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT), […]

COPD

Breathing Effort In COPD If you have COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis, you will have weak breathing muscles, making it harder for you to get air in and out of your lungs. Dyspnoea, a feeling of difficult, laboured breathing or shortness of breath, is common in COPD, and breathing muscle weakness is a contributory factor […]

Covid Recovery

Because COVID-19 is a new infection, long-term research has yet to be conducted. However, this article highlights a link between inspiratory muscle performance and COVID-19. The Risk Reduction Model in the article suggests home-based respiratory muscle training (RMT), such as POWERbreathe Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT), could be prescribed to patients with impaired respiratory performance. RMT […]

Heart failure and Disease

Breathing Effort In Heart Failure And Heart Disease Heart failure usually results from another disease, most commonly coronary heart disease. They have similar symptoms, including shortness of breath (known as dyspnea) and fatigue which affect how physically active you are. With heart failure, your heart is unable to properly pump blood around your body, causing […]

Stroke

Effect Of Breathing Fatigue In Stroke Recovery Not only does stroke affect you psychologically and cognitively, but physically too. One aspect of stroke is the feeling of extreme tiredness, or post-stroke fatigue, making movement feel harder and requiring more energy leading to a reduction in tolerance to exercise. Respiratory muscle strength is impaired after stroke […]