A traditional Chinese breath-work routine could be as effective at lowering blood pressure as a brisk walk, research has found. More than 14 million people in the UK have high blood pressure – the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. Researchers from the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases (NCCD) in Beijing tracked blood pressure changes in more than 200 people from seven communities across the country. Researchers say the practice had lower blood pressure as much as a brisk walkAll were over 40 and had hypertension – an early stage of high blood pressure. After a year the baduanjin group had reduced their blood pressure by the same amount as the brisk walkers – a reduction also comparable to that produced by some first-line medications.

Source: Daily Mail February 22, 2026 05:06 UTC