Breathing & Blood Pressure

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of obesity on cardiovascular responses during various breathing maneuvers.

Inclusion Criteria:• Body mass index values of 18-40 kg/m^2Exclusion Criteria:Not weight stable (<5% change in body mass over the past six months)Overt cardiovascular, neurological, renal, liver, and/or metabolic illness (e.g., diabetes mellitus)Current, or history of uncontrolled, Stage 2 hypertension (blood pressure >140 / 90 mmHg; anti-hypertensive medications are permitted)Diagnosed obstructive sleep apneaPrevious bariatric surgeryDiagnosis or signs (e.g., values below the lower limit of normal) of overt airway disease(s)Current or recent (regular use within the past 6 months) use of tobacco or nicotine products (e.g., cigarettes, vaping)Per the POWERbreathe® company:Patients who have undergone recent abdominal surgery and those with abdominal hernia.Asthma patients who have a very low symptom perception and suffer from frequent, severe exacerbations or with an abnormally low perception of dyspnoea.If a patient is suffering from a ruptured eardrum or any other condition of the ear.Patients with marked elevated left ventricular end-diastolic volume and pressure.Patients with worsening heart failure signs and symptoms after a respiratory/inspiratory muscle training (IMT) sessionIf you are suffering from a cold, sinusitis, or respiratory tract infection, we advise that you do not use your POWERbreathe IMT device.Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers)Pregnant (self-reported and urine pregnancy test conducted), lactating (self-reported), or post-menopausal (self-reported) femalesPrisoners