Effect of pranayama on cardiovascular parameters among indian population-a narrative review

Abstract

Pranayama is one among the breathing exercise practised in Yoga, which can control breathing voluntarily. This narrative review based on the scientific research findings used as the methodology in this study. The online data sources including Pubmed, Pubmed Central, Cochrane, Medline, Google Scholar were searched for the related studies. After applying the inclusion and ex-clusion criteria we got 30 related studies on the topic. The studies showed that there is an effect of pranayama on the cardiovascular parameters among the healthy as well as the hypertensive patients. Some types of pranayama affect the parasympathetic system and some types stimulate the sympathetic system. The Surya Anuloma Viloma or Surya Bhedana, Chandra Anuloma Viloma or Chandra Bhedana, Surya Nadi effect to increase the heart rate and Blood pressure. The alternative nostril breathing, Chandra Nadi pranayama, nadishuddhi, slow and fast pranayama effect to reduce the heart rate and blood pressure. Most of the studies show that pranayama affect blood pressure and a trained nurse can utilize the techniques in lowering the blood pressure level both in the clinical setting and in community.