Exercise for High Blood Pressure: What to Know First
There it is on the health check report: an arrow next to the blood pressure reading, and a doctor saying offhandedly, “get more exercise.” On the way home the questions start. How much walking counts? Can I run? I’m already on medication—will exercise make things worse? Short answer: regular exercise is a dependable part of blood pressure management, but only a supporting one. It does not replace medication, and any change to your prescription goes through your doctor. What to do and what to check beforehand comes from established prevention guidelines and the evidence behind them. ...