Effects of Slow Breathing Exercises on Cardiovascular Health: Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Quality of Life

Öz

Cardiovascular diseases, which affect the heart and circulatory system, represent a major global health problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. In particular, coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction can both restrict daily activities and increase the risk of death. In patients following acute myocardial infarction, changes in vital signs are of great importance. In particular, alterations in heart rate and blood pressure may increase subsequent cardiac risks and therefore require regular monitoring. In recent years, there has been growing interest in studies examining the effects of slow breathing exercises on cardiovascular health. In this context, in addition to pharmacological treatments, slow breathing exercises based on diaphragmatic breathing are thought to exert beneficial effects on heart rate and blood pressure. These techniques have been reported to support autonomic nervous system balance by enhancing parasympathetic activation, improving baroreflex sensitivity, and reducing stress and anxiety levels, thereby contributing to improved quality of life. Current evidence suggests that breathing exercises are safe, simple, and may serve as a complementary approach alongside pharmacological therapies. However, larger and longer term studies are needed to clarify their effectiveness and optimal application methods.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Blood pressure
• cardiovascular health
• heart rate
• quality of life
• slow breathing exercises

Etik Beyan

Ethics committee approval and informed consent were not required because this study is a review article based on previously published literature.

Yavaş Nefes Egzersizlerinin Kardiyovasküler Sağlık Üzerine Etkileri: Nabız, Kan Basıncı ve Yaşam Kalitesi

Öz

Kardiyovasküler hastalıklar, kalp ve dolaşım sistemini etkileyen ve dünya genelinde yüksek morbidite ve mortaliteye yol açan önemli sağlık sorunları arasında yer almaktadır. Özellikle koroner arter hastalığı ve akut miyokard infarktüsü, hem günlük yaşamı kısıtlayabilmekte hem de ölüm riskini artırabilmektedir. Akut miyokard infarktüsü sonrası hastalarda yaşam bulgularındaki değişiklikler, özellikle nabız ve kan basıncı, ilerleyen dönemde kardiyak riskleri artırabileceği için düzenli takibi büyük önem taşımaktadır. Yavaş nefes egzersizlerinin Kardiyovasküler sağlık üzerindeki etkilerini inceleyen çalışmalar, son yıllarda giderek artan bir ilgiyle ele alınmaktadır. Bu noktada, farmakolojik tedavilere ek olarak yavaş ve derin nefes egzersizlerinin (diyafram nefesi temelli) kalp hızı ve kan basıncı üzerinde olumlu etkiler sağlayabileceği düşünülmektedir. Bu tekniklerin, otonom sinir sistemi dengesini destekleyerek parasempatik aktivasyonu artırabileceği, barorefleks duyarlılığını güçlendirebileceği ve stres ile anksiyete düzeylerini azaltarak yaşam kalitesini iyileştirmeye katkı sağlayabileceği bildirilmektedir. Mevcut kanıtlar, nefes egzersizlerinin uygulanmasının güvenli, kolay ve farmakolojik tedavilere ek tamamlayıcı bir yöntem olabileceğini göstermektedir. Ancak etkinliği ve optimal uygulama yöntemlerinin netleştirilmesi için daha geniş ve uzun süreli çalışmalara ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Kan basıncı
• kardiyovasküler sağlık
• nabız
• yaşam kalitesi
• yavaş nefes egzersizleri

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışma bir derleme olduğundan etik kurul onayı ve bilgilendirilmiş onam formu alınmadı.

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