Here’s a summary of the five main ways breathing impacts how your heart functions.
Healthy levels of CO₂ relax your blood vessels and this expansion increases blood flow to the heart. This means the heart does not have to beat as fast or generate as much pressure to move blood around the body. Think of the toothpaste analogy or those tubes of filler we use when we are decorating. The smaller the hole in the tube the more pressure we have to put on the tube.
Studies show that regular, paced breathing improves heart rate variability (HRV). This is a measure of how adaptable your heart is to your bodys’ needs. A higher HRV has consistently been associated with lower cardiovascular (CVD) risk.
The vagus nerve carries message both to and from the body. Breathing correctly improves nervous system function and balance. This in turn reduces the stress load on the heart thereby improving it’s resilience.
Slow breathing lowers the heart rate and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
It’s not just about the air volume you breathe, it’s about how well you can oxygenate your heart. Nasal breathing improves CO₂ and nitric oxide levels which stimulate blood vessel relaxation (see point 1). This improves gas exchange, circulation and blood flow which are all very important for heart function.
The good news is that you can retrain your breathing patterns to be functional and optimal for your heart and your health overall. There is more information on breathwork here.
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