MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Slow breathing improved cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic responsiveness to physical perturbations, which they suggested may be a result of augmented baroreflex sensitivity due to increased (initial) parasympathetic tone, and synchronisation of sympathetic and parasympathetic systems at 6 breaths per min.

Detailed explanation-2: -Decreasing breathing frequency reportedly suppresses sympathetic nervous activity and activates parasympathetic nervous activity.

Detailed explanation-3: -When the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is activated, it slows our heart and breathing rates, lowers blood pressure and promotes digestion. Our body enters a state of relaxation, and this relaxation breeds recovery. The more time we spend in a PSNS state, the healthier we are.

Detailed explanation-4: -Muscle sympathetic nerve activity and chemoreflex sensitivity are linked to spontaneous respiratory rate in normal humans. Faster respiratory rate is associated with higher levels of sympathetic traffic and potentiated responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia.

Detailed explanation-5: -Diaphragmatic breathing stimulates the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) which allows the body to rest and digest, slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure and respiratory rate and diverting blood supply towards the digestive and reproductive systems.