Breath control: Difference between revisions

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Breath control is risky for anyone to practice. In healthy people with proper safety practices, some sources of risk can be diminished. <u>'''However, for people with certain health conditions, the risks of breath control cannot be meaningfully mitigated and should be avoided entirely.'''</u>
Breath control is risky for anyone to practice. In healthy people with proper safety practices, some sources of risk can be diminished. <u>'''However, for people with certain health conditions, the risks of breath control cannot be meaningfully mitigated and should be avoided entirely.'''</u>


Many types of heart or lung disease can make any form of breath control dangerous (especially if severe). If airflow or blood flow is restricted in these individuals, a cascade of life-threatening physiologic derangements can be initiated that cannot be easily reversed, even after restoring normal flow.  Additionally, neurovascular conditions such as carotid stenosis, Moyamoya disease, cerebral aneurysms or vascular malformations present significantly increased risk of stroke.
Many types of heart or lung disease can make any form of breath control unmanageably dangerous (especially severe disease). If airflow or blood flow is restricted in these individuals, a cascade of life-threatening physiologic derangements can be initiated that cannot be easily reversed, even after restoring normal flow.  Additionally, breath control should not be practiced by individuals with neurovascular conditions such as carotid stenosis, Moyamoya disease, cerebral aneurysms or vascular malformations due to greatly increased risk of stroke.


Carotid compression should '''never''' be practiced when carotid plaques could be present due to the high risk of plaque dislodgement and embolic stroke. More than 50% of older adults (>60 years old) have some degree of carotid plaque formation. Middle-aged adults (40-60 years old) can develop carotid plaques, with higher prevalence among those with risk factors (hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, cardiovascular disease).
Carotid compression should '''never''' be practiced when carotid plaques could be present due to the high risk of plaque dislodgement and embolic stroke. More than 50% of older adults (>60 years old) have some degree of carotid plaque formation. Middle-aged adults (40-60 years old) can develop carotid plaques, with higher prevalence among those with risk factors (hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, cardiovascular disease).