Exercise for High Blood Pressure
Physical activity reduces blood pressure, especially if you
have been inactive until now. Physical activity also helps you manage your
weight, but being active will lower your blood pressure even if you don't lose
weight.
Regular aerobic exercise can help lower
high blood pressure. Aerobic exercise includes
activities that raise your
heart rate, such as walking, bicycling, dancing,
swimming, and jogging.
- People who don't exercise are more likely to
develop high blood pressure than people who do exercise.
- Doing
moderate exercise at least 2½ hours a week can help
lower blood pressure. One
way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. It's
fine to be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and
week.
- Exercise also helps you lose weight and has been proved to
reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Regular exercise also lowers
your risk of developing
diabetes, which is important because having diabetes
increases your risk of complications from high blood pressure.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology |
| Last Revised | April 4, 2011 |