High blood pressure: The best outdoor activity proven to lower BP – what is it?

High blood pressure risks could be lowered by making some lifestyle changes which includes a person’s diet and their activities. Blood pressure UK said on their website: “Different kinds of exercise and activity have different effects on your body. If you have high blood pressure, you should try and focus on activities that’ll help your heart and blood vessels. Aerobic activity is the type that helps your heart the most. Aerobic activities are repetitive and rhythmic movements, and they use the large muscle groups of your body, such as those in your legs, shoulders and arms.”

High blood pressure is the most common cardiovascular problem I see in athletes. That’s because it’s so common in the general population, active or not

Doctor Larry Creswell

Cycling is an aerobic exercise that could lower your blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic.

You don’t have to ride your bike really fast for the benefits, either. Just a casual ride on ground level could lower your pressure, added medical website LiveStrong.

“Aerobic exercise can diminish the risk by decreasing your blood pressure; exercise can be as simple as taking a walk, riding a bike or doing yard work.

“Riding a bike at moderate intensity, less than 10 miles an hour over level ground or with few hills, can also lower your blood pressure.

“Whether you ride a stationary bike at home or at the gym or prefer a traditional bike outdoors, biking will benefit you,” it said.

Doctor Larry Creswell said: “High blood pressure is the most common cardiovascular problem I see in athletes.

That’s because it’s so common in the general population, active or not. Exercise generally leads to lower blood pressure. Physically active people have a 50 per cent lower risk for developing hypertension than inactive people.”

In a 2013 study by Taylor and Francis Online a controlled aerobic exercise training was examined and looked at how it reduces resting blood pressure in sedentary older adults.

The results saw a reduced blood pressure by an average of 3.9 per cent systolic and 4.5 per cent diastolic when they started following a regular cardio exercise. 

Blood Pressure UK said on their website: “Different kinds of exercise and activity have different effects on your body. If you have high blood pressure, you should try and focus on activities that’ll help your heart and blood vessels.

Aerobic activity is the type that helps your heart the most.

Aerobic activities are repetitive and rhythmic movements, and they use the large muscle groups of your body, such as those in your legs, shoulders and arms.”

Exercise can lower blood pressure about as much as some medications.

You should speak with your GP before embarking on a new exercise regime.

Following a healthy diet such as the Mediterranean-style diet which includes fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts, fish and whole grains will ensure healthy levels of blood pressure and reduce risk of serious health complications.

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