Exercise can help control hypertension

[solomona]

I’ve heard that exercise can help control hypertension. How much and what type of exercise is recommended for individuals with hypertension?

[KarateGeorge]

I'm right there with you, as I inherited a family tendency for mild hypertension.

Pretty much any kind of cardiovascular exercise will help with hypertension. As a general rule, to get much of any benefit from cardio exercises, you want to get your heart rate up for at least 20 minutes with some kind of moderate exercise. The amount of effect it will have can vary from person to person, depending on the cause of the hypertension, though it does help at least to some extent for everybody.

Hypertension is more of a symptom of other problems than a stand-alone problem, so it can have a myriad of causes. If its genetic/hereditary, then exercise will help a little, but it's not likely to fix the problem entirely. If its from an unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet and poor physical fitness, then exercise and a proper diet will help quite a bit.

Something like 50% of adults develop hypertension during their lifetime, so its definitely something everyone should keep an eye out for and find ways to help reduce it.

Also, there's some evidence that relaxation and meditation exercises supposedly can help. Aspects of activities such as yoga, qigong, tai chi, etc. can fall into this category.

[solomona]

thank you KarateGeorge

[cymry]

High-intensity weightlifting and cardiovascular conditioning will do it for you.

[mr_obvious]

It will help as the body becomes more cardiovascularly efficient (and potent); thus reducing cardio loads at idle. BP and pulse rate all go down, as the subject becomes more conditioned, generally speaking.

I'd say cardio first, weight training 2nd....and watch the salt (drink a gallon of water a day, too).

[SportyGuy]

I want to see my doctor few months back. He said I have hypertension. He recommend me to do any of following exercises.

-Running

-Swimming

-Walking

Its generally understandable, that above 3 exercises can effect the whole body equally at the same time. Even fighting can do the same. But I dont agree with weight lifting.

[isshinryu5toforever]

Weight loss can help your blood pressure a lot even if you're a relatively healthy individual. Any weight loss should result in a drop in blood pressure. Like many health issues, it really comes down to a clean diet, drinking enough water, and consistent exercise.

[bushido_man96]

Weight loss can help your blood pressure a lot even if you're a relatively healthy individual. Any weight loss should result in a drop in blood pressure. Like many health issues, it really comes down to a clean diet, drinking enough water, and consistent exercise.

Agreed. I would also agree with adding cardiovascular exercise to training. I've heard that heavy lifting can raise blood pressure, but I'm not sure to what extent, and for how long.

[JiuJitsuNation]

It will help as the body becomes more cardiovascularly efficient (and potent); thus reducing cardio loads at idle. BP and pulse rate all go down, as the subject becomes more conditioned, generally speaking.

I'd say cardio first, weight training 2nd....and watch the salt (drink a gallon of water a day, too).

[JiuJitsuNation]

Very good! Hypertension is generally a result of water retention and there are many cause's of that in itself. The extra water causes pressure inside the body to increase making the heart work harder all resulting in higher blood pressure.

Any exercise will be beneficial to a degree. Sweating will remove some salts from the body aiding in less water retained.

At least this is my understanding.