The effect of pursed-lip breathing combined with number counting on blood pressure and heart rate in hypertensive urgency patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Hypertensive urgency (HT urgency) is an alarming sign of uncontrolled hypertension. It is aggravated by nonadherence to medication, as well as psychosocial stress. Mindfulness is beneficial for reducing stress, while deep and slow breathing is effective for lowering blood pressure (BP). In our study, we aimed to assess BP and heart rate effects in HT urgency patients practicing pursed-lip breathing and number counting (PLB with NC)-a practice that promotes mindfulness with deep/slow breathing patterns. In a randomized controlled trial, 110 patients were equally allocated to intervention and control groups. The intervention group was trained and encouraged to do PLB with NC during their emergency room admission, while the control group received conventional medical care. The mean systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and HR of the intervention group in the 3rd hour were significantly lower than the baseline values at -28.2 mm Hg (95%CI;-23.5 to -32.4), -17.1 mm Hg (95%CI;-14.2 to -20.0), and -4.9 beats per minute (bpm) (95%CI;-4.0 to -5.8), respectively. In the control group, both the mean SBP and DBP were also significantly lower in the 3rd hour. However, HR reduction was inconclusive. When the two groups were compared, a greater degree of reduction was found in the intervention group for SBP (9.80 mm Hg, 95%CI; 4.10 to 15.50), DBP (7.69 mm Hg, 95%CI; 3.61 to 11.77), and HR (3.85 bpm, 95%CI; 1.99 to 5.72). In conclusion, PLB with NC was effective for lowering BP and HR. It might be used as a complementary treatment for HT urgency patients.