Exercising For A Healthy Blood Pressure: What You Should Know

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a man and wom stretching on the ground
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Written by Eli Ben-Yehuda

On March 24, 2024

Exercise could be just as effective in lowering high blood pressure as a prescribed medication.

Researchers pooled data from nearly 400 trials and found that, for people with high blood pressure, activity such as walking, swimming, and simple weight training seemed to be just as good as most drugs used to treat it.

However, the team warns, that people should not stop taking their medication until further studies are carried out.

Huseyin Naci at the London School of Economics and his colleagues, analyzed data from 194 trials looking at the impact of drugs on lowering high blood pressure, and 197 trials testing the impact of structured exercise. The trials involved a total of nearly 40,000 people, but none of them directly compared exercise against medication.

The team found that blood pressure was lower in people treated with drugs than in those following structured exercise programmes. But when the analysis was restricted to just those with high blood pressure, exercise seemed to be just as effective as medication.

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Where Do I Begin?

The first place I would start is with your primary healthcare provider. Discuss with them what you want to do, get a checkup, and get the green light from them to increase your activity. Even people with physical limitations can exercise to an extent. So never sell yourself short on what you are able to do.

Taking Charge of your high blood pressure numbers

Increasing your activity will not “just happen” because you’re thinking about it. Let’s be realistic, the society we live in loves to take the path of least resistance.

It seems that it is a built-in human trait. Sometimes we try to get away with the least amount of effort. If you’re serious though about lowering your blood pressure numbers, you will need a “take charge” attitude.

You will get out of it exactly what you put into it. Your target should be 30-40 minutes of vigorous activity 3-4 times weekly to get the benefit that your body will need to decrease the BP numbers.

Coach Potato

Leave a potato on the couch and eventually, it will begin to rot. Being inactive will cause our health to deteriorate over time.

According to the American Heart Association, we should have these target goals in mind:

  • For most healthy people, get the equivalent of at least 150 minutes (two hours and 30 minutes) per week of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking.
  • You can incorporate your weekly physical activity with 30 minutes a day on at least five days a week.
  • If you need to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol, aim for 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity three to four times per week.
  • Physical activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes, and preferably, it should be spread throughout the week.
  • Include flexibility and stretching exercises.
  • Include muscle-strengthening activity at least two days each week.

Maybe you find that you have been inactive for a long time and are a little apprehensive about starting again. Then if the is the case start off slowly, you’re not in a competition. Start with walking or bicycle riding and ease into it. The most important thing is to start.

Brisk Walking

In fact, walking briskly can lower your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes as much as running, according to a new study conducted at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Life Science Division in Berkeley, CA. All three conditions are risk factors for heart disease and stroke, and you can do something about them.

Swimming

Swimming is often promoted as a good way for older people to exercise since it’s easy on the joints and it’s not likely to cause overheating. And many follow that advice: after walking, swimming is the second-most popular form of exercise among the older set.

Researchers found that among 43 older men and women, those who started swimming a few times a week lowered their systolic blood pressure the “top” number in a blood pressure reading. On average, the swimmers started the study with a systolic blood pressure of 131 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Three months later, it was 122 mm Hg.

Rowing

rowing to lower blood pressureThe benefits of practicing rowing are explained by the fact that it is a high expenditure, prevalently an aerobic sport.

Rowing can easily help you reach and maintain your ideal weight and improve physiological parameters influenced by exercise: normalize blood pressure, improve sleep quality, strengthening of the immune system, psychological and behavioral advances and a significant improvement of posture and articular flexibility.

Golf

Golf the great game of the Scott’s. Golf’s powerful combination of stress-busting exercise, fresh air and camaraderie can help promote long-term heart health.

It can reduce blood pressure and raised cholesterol and cut your risk of stroke and diabetes, especially if combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Walking around the golf course is as good as a run for cutting the risk of heart disease, according to new research from the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Ballroom Dancing

Builds a stronger heart – Regular ballroom dancing can lead to a slower heart rate, as well as lower blood pressure and a more balanced level of cholesterol. It offers a great workout for the cardiovascular system as it requires a large degree of flexible movement. Thank you, Fred, Ginger, and Gene.

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Bowling

bowling to lower blood pressureI bet the “Dude” did not know this one. Bowling Reduces the risk of heart disease. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease, according to WebMD.

Exercise, including bowling, lowers your risk of stroke, heart attacks, diabetes, increases bone density, improves circulation, lowers cholesterol levels and blood pressure, and helps your body utilize oxygen better. Try to bowl once or more each week for optimum benefits.

As you can see there are so many different ways to get active, you could actually have fun doing them and lower your high blood pressure numbers. The point I want to make is getting active, getting active even if you are tired over time will increase your energy.

It will improve your moods and will give you a reason to drag yourself out of the coach. Being active it so vitally important to your health. Make it a point to start somewhere, doing at least something. Get a partner to join up with you and make a pact with each other to ensure you do quite and don’t give in.

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7 Replies to “Exercising For A Healthy Blood Pressure: What You Should Know”

  1. I’ve had high blood pressure since I was 13 years old and while I am now 80, I
    currently do swimming 3 -4 times a week and also indulge in exercising. I take a lot
    of medication and my blood pressure for the most part is almost always higher
    than it should be.

    1. Have you considered trying our device for lowering high blood pressure? Many have with great results.
      It does come with a 60-day money back guarantee and if you are not happy with the results you can
      return for a full refund. Kindest Regards, Eli, Content Manager, RESPeRATE.

      1. I have been interested in your product for a while but I guess my main trepidation has been the cost. Curiously, I spend that amount on trivial things sooo… Mr Dr.hasn’t found a med that works for me yet and I wonder if this device would even work?

    2. You have had HBP for almost 70 years and you are swimming and . . . . Well, I think you’ve been worrying about nothing for a lifetime! Keep doing what you’re doing and ignore the numbers. The BP parameters are a broad generalization and you happen to be a healthy octogenarian outlier! Celebrate!

  2. I bought one years ago when HB pressure was not a problem. I made the mistake of leaving the batteries in and one leaked so it does not work now when i need it! Could i be given some credit toward a new on
    as it was much more expensive when i originally bought it………..thank you, 81 & Grandma of 14

    1. Hi Dorothy, I would buy a can of CRC-Electronic spray cleaner. It is about $7 a can. You can purchase at any Wal-Mart, Auto store, or hardware store. Do not use water, lemon, or vinegar. You could ruin the device. Take out the batteries. Spray in the battery compartment. Do this twice. And do not be afraid to spray a large amount. 9 times out of 10 this solves the problem then insert new alkaline batteries.Kindest Regards,Eli.

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