EFFECT OF FOUR WEEKS OF SLOW DEEP BREATHING ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND CARDIAC AUTONOMIC MODULATION IN HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS

Background: Autonomic dysregulation characterized by sympathetic predominance and reduced vagal activity is implicated in the early development of cardiovascular morbidity. Slow deep breathing has emerged as a non-pharmacological strategy capable of modulating autonomic function. Objective: To evaluate the effect of four weeks of slow deep breathing on blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) indices in healthy young adults. Methods: In this pre–post interventional study, 60 healthy participants aged 17–22 years underwent supervised slow deep breathing at six breaths per minute for 10 minutes daily over four weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and HRV parameters (SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF, LF/HF ratio) were recorded at baseline and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: A significant reduction in SBP (118.4 ± 8.6 vs. 112.1 ± 7.9 mmHg; p<0.001) and DBP (76.2 ± 6.4 vs. 72.8 ± 5.9 mmHg; p=0.004) was observed following intervention. Time-domain HRV indices (SDNN and RMSSD) increased significantly (p≤0.002), accompanied by an increase in HF power and a significant reduction in LF/HF ratio (p<0.001), indicating enhanced parasympathetic modulation and improved sympathovagal balance. Conclusion: Four weeks of slow deep breathing significantly improved cardiac autonomic regulation and reduced blood pressure in healthy young adults, supporting its potential role as a preventive cardiovascular strategy.