Background: Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Breathing exercise is an acceptable method for lowering the blood pressure (BP). However, little is known about the immediate effects of slow and diaphragmatic breathings in declining BP in hypertensive patients. In addition, a comparison between both techniques is unknown.

Objective: To compare acute effect in lowering BP between diaphragmatic breathing and slow breathing in treated hypertensive patients.

Materials and Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental in 92 treated hypertensive subjects, divided into three groups, control (n = 29), slow breathing exercise (SBE) (n = 31), and diaphragmatic breathing exercise (DBE) (n = 32). All parameters of BP were recorded immediately and five minutes after SBE, DBE, and control groups. Data analyses were carried out by Two-way mixed ANOVA.

Results: When comparing to control, both breathing techniques could lower systolic BP. While there was no significant difference in pulse pressure (PP) after DBE, the lowering in PP appeared immediately after slow breathing.

Conclusion: Slow breathing had a higher efficacy in immediate lowering BP than diaphragmatic breathing in treated hypertensive patients.

Keywords: Hypertension, Slow breathing, Diaphragmatic breathing, Systolic blood pressure, Pulse pressure