IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF SAMA VRITTI PRANAYAMA ON CARDIO-PULMONARY VARIABLES IN PRIMARY HYPERTENSIVE INDIVIDUALS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL

Hypertension (HTN) is persistent increase in systemic arterial pressure above a predetermined threshold, it is among the leading factors contributing to morbidity and death in developed nations. It is regarded as the main cause of mortality from cardiovascular disease (45%) and cerebrovascular disease (51%). Cardiovascular disorders are the primary cause of death. In South Asia, hypertension is the third most significant risk factor for the attributable burden of disease(2010). Due to resistant or untreated hypertension the risks of heart attack, stroke, and renal failure can be significantly increased . Long-term uncontrolled hypertension also poses a significant risk for macrovascular and microvascular problems such as retinopathy, chronic renal disease, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. Yoga is a science, an art form, and a way of life that promotes wellness. Yoga first emerged in India more than 5000 years ago mainly for spiritual advancement. Practically speaking, yoga practice seeks to overcome human suffering and promote overall health, happiness, and harmony. Pranayama is a part of yoga, this is a formal discipline of breath control. The terms Prana and Yama make up the Sanskrit word pranayama. The term "ayama," which refers to the pranayama activity, meaning "stretch" or "extend.". Pranayama breathing has shown to alter autonomic activity as it increases parasympathetic activity.

Vritti pranayama comprises of two types: Samavritti and Visamavritti  Pranayama .Samavritti pranayama aims to achieve consistency in the length of each of the four breathing processes: inhalation, retention, exhalation, and retention . It is useful for reducing BP. Sama Vritti Pranayama also called as Box breathing. Breathing patterns and depths directly affect blood pressure, heart rate, ventilation, and oxygenation levels physiologically. There are  no studies exploring the influence on autonomic variables. So, the present study was designed to assess the effect of box breathing on cardiopulmonary variables in primary hypertension.