Device lowers high BP

A new medical device that can lower a person’s blood pressure without the use of drugs was launched yesterday during a symposium of the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH) and the Philippine Lipid Society.

Medical experts have hailed the device, called Resperate, as a boon to people suffering from hypertension. It has a headphone set and a sensor, attached to a belt, that analyzes a person’s breathing rate and pattern. It then interactively guides users through breathing exercises that lower blood pressure.

Women wear the device with the belt strapped around their upper abdomen, men have the belt around their waist. The device employs music to help users slow down their breathing rate.

According to doctors, Resperate’s breathing exercises bring down blood pressure by relaxing the muscles surrounding the small blood vessels. Over time, repeated breathing exercises can facilitate blood flow through these vessels, leading to lowered blood pressure.

PSH president Dr. Esperanza Cabral said anger, stress and sudden exposure to extreme heat or cold can trigger an increase in blood pressure.

"The body reacts to that. The body secretes a certain chemical called epinephrine or adrenaline. The adrenaline constricts the blood vessels, causing the blood pressure to go up. If you relax, that is what this device does — it makes you relax and controls your breathing — and your blood pressure goes down," she said.

The PSH estimates that around 13 million Filipinos are suffering from hypertension but half of them know nothing about the illness.

While hypertension is more common among people aged 50 years old and over, some people develop the condition by age 35.

In the Philippines, hypertension — more popularly known as high blood pressure — is usually diagnosed late or when an affected person seeks medical treatment for illnesses that developed only as complications of hypertension. These include stroke, heart attacks, diabetes and kidney failure.

Despite the debilitating consequences of untreated hypertension, many hypertensive Filipinos opt to ignore their condition because they cannot afford the cost of medication.

Resperate is manufactured by the United States-based Interactive Therapeutic Devices (Intercure) and distributed locally by Jagere Marketing Corp. It is priced at P16,500, which doctors say is considerably cheaper than the long-term cost of regular medication.

Jagere vice president Enrique Noora said Resperate can support the regular therapy for a hypertensive person.

"The patients are still advised to consult their doctors. It’s up to their doctors to say if they can stop their medication. We don’t want patients to go on home remedy just like that," Noora added.

But Cabral said that Resperate can either be used alone or serve as supplementary therapy for hypertensive people.

"If the blood pressure is not too high or if it is mild, it can be controlled with this device alone. There are some patients who have higher blood pressure so they need this and some medicines," she said.

Cabral said if patients who are already on medication use Resperate, the device can eventually reduce the dose of the medicines they use. However, she pointed out these patients also need to shift to a more healthful lifestyle to complement their therapy.

"Patients need to do lifestyle modifications. They must avoid cigarettes and alcohol and other unhealthy habits. They must engage in aerobic exercises and watch their diet," she said.