Holding your breath from point A to B: Is it a sign of healthy lungs?

How to check whether your lungs are healthy? Do ordinary people need breathing exercises to keep their lungs healthy? Interestingly, many experts say a 'no' to this. For instance, according to the renowned platform 'Columbia Doctors,' if a person has no history of lung disease, avoids inhalants like tobacco, and works out regularly, that in itself is enough for healthy lungs. They should be able to breathe naturally, and it should not feel forced. However, just as always, social media has come up with its own set of 'breathing challenges.' The most common one has been holding breath from point A to B. Is there any truth in it? Here's what we found. 

What’s the reality 
The World Health Organisation has debunked the myth that the capacity to hold breath for 10 seconds or more is a sign of healthy lungs. "Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort does not mean you are free from the coronavirus disease or any other lung disease," WHO says on its official social media page. We also fact-checked with pulmonologists to separate the wheat from the chaff. The expert doctors opined that the videos claiming that your capacity to hold breath from point A to point B shows robust lungs and sufficient oxygen levels are totally misleading for the simple reason that this self-test is not a proper diagnostic tool. 

It may be noted that there is no integrated test to diagnose lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. The capacity to hold breath varies from person to person, especially among elderly people and smokers, as individuals have different physical makeups. Moreover, people suffering from acute asthma or other lung diseases should strictly follow the instructions of their doctors; otherwise, they would invite trouble that can have grave consequences. 

How long can you safely hold your breath?
While there is no general consensus on this, the Ohio State University estimates the safe limit for holding your breath at 1 minute. Depriving vital organs like the heart and brain of oxygen for longer than that can make them dysfunctional. Interestingly, they also say there is not much advantage for the average person in holding their breath for longer periods, unless they are musicians, swimmers, divers, or illusionists. 

Should you do breathing exercises?
If you are still interested in trying breathing exercises, do so only after checking with your doctor or healthcare provider. Many options are available, both under traditional and modern medical practices. Practitioners say that with the right training, they can help a person exhale accumulated stale air, strengthen their diaphragm, and increase their oxygen levels.