To Carney, the tones sound like a harp. It's absolutely mesmerizing. The manufacturer is test-marketing Resperate in Chicago, and plans to introduce it nationwide next year. Luke's Medical Center is the first local hospital to offer Resperate. High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects about one in five adults.
Hypertension increases the risk of heart disease and stroke and can damage eyes and kidneys.
Resperate is intended to be used along with other hypertension treatments, such as diet, exercise and drugs. The manufacturer also is testing Resperate for other chronic conditions, including congestive heart failure and asthma. At rest, a person normally takes 15 to 25 breaths per minute. Resperate helps lower the rate to fewer than 10 breaths per minute. Slow breathing relaxes blood vessels and blood pressure is reduced.