Moderate Exercise Safe for People With High Blood Pressure

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is sometimes called the silent killer because it often has no symptoms. It’s a significant risk factor for heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. Exercise training lowers blood pressure, but exercise itself increases it. Are exercise-induced increases in blood pressure dangerous for people with high blood pressure? Researchers from Johns Hopkins University— in a six-month study— showed that older adults (aged 55-75) with hypertension could safely participate in moderate-intensity exercise. Training reduced resting blood pressure and body fat and lessened their risk of coronary artery disease. People with high blood pressure should lift weights and do moderate-intensity aerobics. Warm-ups and cool downs are even more important for people with this disease. As with most things in life, moderation is the key. (Heart, 92: 893-898, 2006)