Exercise and High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure affects about 1 in 3 American adults and increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Exercise, weight management, and a healthy diet are important ways to help prevent high blood pressure. Working out also boosts the effectiveness of blood pressure medication if you’re already being treated for hypertension. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting a fitness program.

Put the Fun Back in Exercise

Find activities you enjoy and aim for 30 minutes a day of “exercise” on most days of the week. Daily housework, gardening, washing windows, using the stairs, carrying your groceries, walking at the mall, or riding bikes with the kids all add up to exercise that benefits your heart.

Tip: Increase activity by parking at the end of the lot, or get off the bus a stop early and walk to your destination.

Hit the Gym

You don’t need to belong to a gym to become more active. But some people find it easier to focus on their workout in a gym setting. As an added bonus, the trainer at your local fitness center can teach you how to use the equipment properly to avoid injury. If any move feels wrong, check with your trainer. Depending on your health and physical condition, some exercises may not be recommended.

Strengthen Your Heart

Resistance exercise can be done with in many ways, such as with free weights, weight machines, exercise bands, or by doing abdominal crunches or curl-ups.  Resistance training helps reduce body fat, increase muscle mass, and boost your metabolic rate. Losing as little as 10 pounds can reduce or help prevent high blood pressure in many overweight individuals. Check with your doctor before starting a new weight-training program.

Can’t Take the Heat? Then Swim

Heart-pumping conditioning exercise is important for lowering blood pressure. But if you can’t take the heat, try swimming at your local “Y” or fitness center. Swimming for 30 minutes reduces the amount of circulating adrenaline in the body and relaxes blood vessels. Swimming can help lower your pulse rate and lower blood pressure.

How Much Exercise Is Enough?

Regular exercise may prevent or control high blood pressure. Moderate-level aerobic activities, such as brisk walking, for 30 minutes a day may be enough to keep you off medications or help them work more effectively. Exercise can reduce your blood pressure readings by as much as 5-15 points. Gradually increase the intensity of your workout to continue lowering your blood pressure to safer levels.

Getting Started

Haven’t exercised in a while? Start slowly to prevent injuries. Start with 10 to 15 minutes of exercise you enjoy, such as walking around the block or on a treadmill. As you get stronger, increase the time and intensity of your workout until you reach the goal of 30 minutes each day. Avoid sudden vigorous exercise or cramming your workout routine into a couple days in an attempt to catch up, which can lead to injury.

Pace Yourself to Avoid Injury

If you’re new to exercise, remember to pace yourself. Select a low- to moderate-intensity exercise such as yoga, cycling (leisurely), gardening, mall walking, water aerobics, or swimming (moderate pace). Gradually increase the intensity and duration of exercise as you become fitter to help maintain your lowered blood pressure.

Make Exercise Convenient

Make sure exercise fits your busy schedule. You can work out while the kids are at soccer practice, before or after work, or even during your lunch break. If it’s hard to get out of the house, consider getting a stationary bike or treadmill to use while watching the evening news or while the baby naps.

Warm Up and Cool Down

According to the American Heart Association, warming up before exercise and cooling down after are important for people with high blood pressure. These exercises let your heart rate increase and decrease gradually. Walking in place or on a treadmill for 10 minutes is fine for warming up before exercise and also for cooling down.

Know the Safety Tips

No matter what exercise you do, be aware of your limitations. If the exercise or activity hurts, then stop! If you feel dizzy or have discomfort in your chest, arms, or throat, stop. Also, go slower on hot and humid days or exercise in an air-conditioned facility.

See Your Doctor Regularly

Getting your doctor’s approval before starting a fitness program is important if you are sedentary, overweight, or have a high risk of coronary heart disease or other chronic health problem. It’s important to have your blood pressure measured by a health care professional, who can advise you as to how often to have it rechecked. Don’t wait for unreliable signs such as headaches, a red face, or stress to tell you your blood pressure is too high.

This tool does not provide medical advice.