When you do any type of exercise, it’s important to know whether it raises your blood pressure or lowers it. If you have high blood pressure, exercise can lower it because it strengthens the heart, making it more efficient in pumping blood. It is important to consult your doctor before starting any new exercise regimen, but the benefits of exercise are numerous. Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week, and strength training twice a week.
The best way to understand whether exercise raises blood pressure is to look at the diastolic blood pressure (the pressure inside the blood vessels between heartbeats). Although your systolic bloodpressure should remain stable, you should keep an eye on it. A blood pressure reading at two hundred and twenty millimeters above the normal level could signal a heart problem. In either case, your systolic blood pressure should stay under 200 mm Hg.
To prevent dangerous spikes in blood pressure, be sure to warm up properly. You’ll want to get your heart rate to its normal resting state by exercising, and you’ll need to cool down afterward. A few minutes of rest, followed by a brief cooldown period, will help your blood pressure return to its normal level. Remember to check your blood pressure before and after your workout. When your blood pressure spikes, it’s time to stop your exercise. If you notice any symptoms, stop your exercise immediately and consult your doctor.
