This thingy lowers blood pressure

AAmazon.com is offering a RESPeRATE Blood Pressure Lowering Device. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007NOY3E/pe%5Fhpc%5Fresju7/002-2073267-1011220
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How absurd. Why would anyone ever think that calming yourself down by practicing a series of slow breaths could somehow lower your blood pressure? Actually, it's absurd that I can't think of ways to make money off simple common sense like this.

I'll attest from years of respiratory therapy practice that breathing coaching does as much or more for status asthmaticus or COPD exacerbation symptoms than the concurrently given bronchodilator treatments. (Well, might have had something to do with principles once observed in Pavlov's dogs as well.)

Here's the RESPaRATE manufacturer's Web site http://www.resperate.com/resperate/consumers_RR_overview.aspx
I think this search of MEDLINE found all the relevant studies:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=searchDB=pubmed

Nothing in the sales pitch or positive clinical studies (albeit the studies are not exactly convincing) can take away the fact that this is but a gadget. Like a thigh-master or reminder feature in your ipod, it's not really necessary to have it in order to achieve desired results.

How about I introduce the authentic CHILL PILL. Guaranteed to settle your nerves and lower your heart rate if you follow the directions: Stand up, take a deep breath, find a secluded, quiet place, sit down comfortably, take CHILL PILL, close eyes, clear mind, listen to self breath slowly for 6-12 minutes. voila.

dras