How respiratory muscle training (RMT) can reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD)

<bold>Background:</bold> CVD is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, posing a significant global health burden. Respiratory muscle training (RMT) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention, shown to address several underlying causes, including hypertension and obesity. We showcase three studies demonstrating the impact of combined RMT (cRMT) on CVD parameters: heart rate variability (HRV), stress, weight, and blood pressure (BP). <bold>Methods:</bold> Study 1 included 10 healthcare providers (HCP), who did 4 weeks of cRMT and breathing strategies for 4 weeks. Study 2 included 27 participants with a BMI > 29 kg/m2 who followed an 8 week intervention of portion control plus cRMT. Study 3 included 67 participants who underwent a 5 week cRMT intervention. cRMT consisted of 2 to 3 sets of 10 reps at 50% to 70% of maximum effort, twice a day, for 6 days per week. <bold>Results:</bold> Study 1 showed a significant stress reduction by 18% (−3.2 ± 3.9, p =.028; PSS-10). Compliant participants of study 2 (n=16) experienced an average weight loss of 6.7 kg, a 2.26 kg/m2 decrease in BMI, and a 10 mmHg decrease in systolic BP. Participants of study 3 observed a significant increase in overnight HRV metrics during the intervention period compared to the baseline, indicating improved autonomic cardiac function. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> RMT demonstrates potential as a valuable tool in reducing the global burden of CVD by improving HRV, decreasing stress, and improving key CVD risk factors. This non-pharmacological approach is safe, feasible, and effective in improving cardiovascular health.