Up: [[Breathing]] Created: 2022-10-24 Updated: 2026-01-01 The pressure that builds in your chest when you breathe is called the thoracic pump. Inhaling is negative pressure, pulling blood into your heart. Exhaling is positive pressure. The blood goes back out and recirculates through your entire body. It does this once a minute, circulating an average of 2000 gallons a day. This is what gives fresh oxygenated blood to cells and removes waste. It’s your diaphragm that powers the thoracic pump. Deep breathing uses the diaphragm to greater efficiency and, according to James Nestor, reduces stress on your heart. > [!User] James Nestor, *Breath*, p.61