High blood pressure
If you're worried that doing exercise will push your blood pressure up,
then think again.
While it's true that your blood pressure will rise slightly during
aerobic exercise such as swimming, cycling or brisk walking, in the
longer term regular physical activity can help you keep your blood
pressure on an even keel. You should always consult an expert, such
as a qualified personal trainer, your doctor or your practice nurse,
if you've never exercised before, or have any concerns.
Here are some simple ideas to get you started:
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Build up gradually. Aerobic forms of exercise
such as swimming, walking or cycling are all useful for high blood
pressure, but don't worry if it takes a while to get used to.
Pushing yourself too hard may lead to injury or over-exhaustion.
Ideally, you should be working towards 30 minutes of moderate
exercise five times a week, but start slowly if you need to.
-
Put some extra effort into everyday activities.
Walking the dog a little further, walking up the stairs instead
of taking the lift and parking your car at the far end of the
car park when you go shopping are all good ways to include
exercise in your day-to-day life.
-
Try out some gentle weight-training but stay away
from pumping really heavy weights as these can raise your blood pressure
to dangerously high levels. If you've never done weight training before,
speak to a personal trainer at your local gym or leisure centre.
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Losing some weight through regular aerobic exercise
will help to bring your blood pressure down to a healthier level.
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Relax with yoga to reduce your stress levels and bring
down your blood pressure.
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Be careful of overdoing it. Very intense exercises such
as squash, scuba-diving and heavy weight-lifting can push your blood
pressure up too high.