6 Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure with Exercise

Tips for National Heart Month

Maintaining healthy blood pressure is a critical part of maintaining general health. Blood pressure is the force blood exerts against the walls of your arteries. This force is primarily a function of how hard your heart is pumping and how much resistance to that blood flow your arteries are exerting. Resistance can come from the narrowing of arteries as we age or as a function of poor diet, inflammation, and other factors. 

High blood pressure can, over time, lead to heart disease and increase the risk of stroke.  Because of these increased risks, it’s important to work with your health care provider to maintain healthy blood pressure. 

Blood pressure guidelines have evolved over the years; the latest guidelines provide the following ranges:

Systolic (upper number): Less than 120Diastolic (lower number): Less than 80

Systolic (upper number): 120-129Diastolic (lower number): Less than 80

Systolic (upper number): 130-139Diastolic (lower number): 80-89

Systolic (upper number): 140 or higherDiastolic (lower number): 90 or higher

Systolic (upper number): Higher than 180Diastolic (lower number): Higher than 120

Exercise and diet can help lower your blood pressure and keep it at healthy levels. Try the following tips to improve your blood pressure: 

Being more active also means spending less time sitting. Sitting has been linked to many health issues, so get up and move and limit the time you spend on the couch.