Immediate effects of the practise of Sheethali pranayama on heart rate and blood pressure parameters in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVES: Sheetali pranayama , a cooling pranayama is best known for its calming and relaxing nature, widely used for many conditions like depression, anxiety and hypertension. The aim of the study was to evaluate the immediate effect of the practice of Sheetali pranayama on heart rate and blood pressure parameters in healthy volunteers.

METHODS: Apparently, 60 healthy volunteers were involved, from both sexes. They were split into pranayama (n=30) and control (n=30) groups at random. Sheetali pranayama was performed for 5 min (5 cycles) in the pranayama group and normal breathing (12-16 breaths/min) was permitted in the control group. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded with RMS polyrite in the supine position after 5 min of rest.

RESULTS: The HR in the pranayama group significantly decreased (p=0.04). Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood (DBP) pressure, pulse pressure (PP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased significantly (p<0.05) relative to control after pranayama practice. Pre-Post inter-group results has also shown that the pranayama group has substantially decreased HR and BP indices.

CONCLUSIONS: Present study shows that the practice of Sheetlai pranayama creates a relaxed state, and parasympathetic activity overrides sympathetic activity in this state. It indicates that in healthy volunteers, pranayama strengthens the resting cardiovascular parameters.