Resperate
Encyclopedia
Resperate is the brand name of a portable, battery-operated personal therapeutic medical device used to lower blood pressure
. Sold over the counter
for home use, it has been FDA-cleared since 2002 as a biofeedback device under an FDA (510k) filing. Ten published original research and review articles in peer-review medical journals support the claim that regular use of the machine can dependably reduce blood pressure when used consistently.
Employing the concept of paced breathing, the Resperate device can be used alone or as an adjuvant by patients already taking anti-hypertensive medication. People whose blood pressure is in the normal or high normal range may also benefit from using the device.
, or high blood pressure, typically responds to a variety of drugs, including diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
. The considerable variety of pharmaceutical solutions speaks to the complexity of blood pressure, its importance for good health, and to the significance of hypertension as a primary risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Although most patients can achieve control of blood pressure with drugs, all pharmaceuticals may produce unwanted side effects. Every patient requires an individualized treatment plan, to be adjusted over time, and medication can be costly.
Resperate may be employed either in conjunction with pharmacological therapy or as part of a lifestyle modification program prior to or after inauguration of a drug regimen. The machine has no known adverse effects and no side effects profile.
Resperate qualifies as a “biofeedback” device that guides the use of paced breathing to modify blood pressure. In this respect it is similar to such techniques as yoga
and meditation
, and peer-reviewed articles that have tested the device make reference to these holistic techniques, as does the hypertension literature prior to the development of the machine. The proposed explanation of how paced breathing influences blood pressure control is based on its effect on the physiology of blood vessels and its relationship to biochemically control blood pressure.
To use the machine, patients fasten the sensor belt around the abdomen, usually while comfortably seated, while wearing a set of earphones that is plugged into the device. When the device is turned on, the sensor relays information about breathing patterns and rate. The device plays a melody (heard through the earphones, with visual cues on the LED screen) comprising two tones. A rising tone guides inhalation while a lower tone accompanies exhalation. The regular, paced tones guide the patient to a respiratory rate
of under 10 breaths per minute, which instructions for the machine propose as a baseline for reducing blood pressure. The respiratory rate during use is shown on the LED display.
The theory proposed to account for lower blood pressure through paced breathing is that reduced sympathetic nerve traffic, executive of activated pulmonary mechanoreceptors, causes the muscles surrounding the arterioles (the smallest of the arteries) to dilate. As blood flows more freely, blood pressure is significantly reduced. Used on a daily basis over time, reduction in some patients is substantial and long-lasting.
This research, including several randomized, double-blind trials of modest size, is essentially consistent and supports use of the machine for reduction of blood pressure.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principal vital signs. When used without further specification, "blood pressure" usually refers to the arterial pressure of the systemic circulation. During each heartbeat, BP varies...
. Sold over the counter
Over-the-counter drug
Over-the-counter drugs are medicines that may be sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from a healthcare professional, as compared to prescription drugs, which may be sold only to consumers possessing a valid prescription...
for home use, it has been FDA-cleared since 2002 as a biofeedback device under an FDA (510k) filing. Ten published original research and review articles in peer-review medical journals support the claim that regular use of the machine can dependably reduce blood pressure when used consistently.
Employing the concept of paced breathing, the Resperate device can be used alone or as an adjuvant by patients already taking anti-hypertensive medication. People whose blood pressure is in the normal or high normal range may also benefit from using the device.
Rationale
HypertensionHypertension
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a cardiac chronic medical condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. What that means is that the heart is having to work harder than it should to pump the blood around the body. Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and...
, or high blood pressure, typically responds to a variety of drugs, including diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
ACE inhibitor
ACE inhibitors or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are a group of drugs used primarily for the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure...
. The considerable variety of pharmaceutical solutions speaks to the complexity of blood pressure, its importance for good health, and to the significance of hypertension as a primary risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Although most patients can achieve control of blood pressure with drugs, all pharmaceuticals may produce unwanted side effects. Every patient requires an individualized treatment plan, to be adjusted over time, and medication can be costly.
Resperate may be employed either in conjunction with pharmacological therapy or as part of a lifestyle modification program prior to or after inauguration of a drug regimen. The machine has no known adverse effects and no side effects profile.
The machine
A proprietary device, Resperate is the principal product manufactured by InterCure, a corporation with headquarters in New York and Lod, Israel. The several models released to date share the same essential physical shape: a clamshell-shaped plastic unit about the size of an ordinary book in which is embedded a rectangular LED screen, a sensor attached to a lightweight fabric belt, and a set of earphones.Resperate qualifies as a “biofeedback” device that guides the use of paced breathing to modify blood pressure. In this respect it is similar to such techniques as yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
and meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
, and peer-reviewed articles that have tested the device make reference to these holistic techniques, as does the hypertension literature prior to the development of the machine. The proposed explanation of how paced breathing influences blood pressure control is based on its effect on the physiology of blood vessels and its relationship to biochemically control blood pressure.
To use the machine, patients fasten the sensor belt around the abdomen, usually while comfortably seated, while wearing a set of earphones that is plugged into the device. When the device is turned on, the sensor relays information about breathing patterns and rate. The device plays a melody (heard through the earphones, with visual cues on the LED screen) comprising two tones. A rising tone guides inhalation while a lower tone accompanies exhalation. The regular, paced tones guide the patient to a respiratory rate
Respiratory rate
Respiratory rate is also known by respiration rate, pulmonary ventilation rate, ventilation rate, or breathing frequency is the number of breaths taken within a set amount of time, typically 60 seconds....
of under 10 breaths per minute, which instructions for the machine propose as a baseline for reducing blood pressure. The respiratory rate during use is shown on the LED display.
The theory proposed to account for lower blood pressure through paced breathing is that reduced sympathetic nerve traffic, executive of activated pulmonary mechanoreceptors, causes the muscles surrounding the arterioles (the smallest of the arteries) to dilate. As blood flows more freely, blood pressure is significantly reduced. Used on a daily basis over time, reduction in some patients is substantial and long-lasting.
Research
The body of research concerning Resperate comprises about ten articles published in peer-reviewed journals.This research, including several randomized, double-blind trials of modest size, is essentially consistent and supports use of the machine for reduction of blood pressure.