Hypertension Blog

Regular isotonic exercise-such as walking, jogging, and swimming-can help control blood pressure. Generally, hypertensive patients should participate in a moderate amount of exercise at regular intervals, rather than vigorous exercise at irregular intervals.The short-term benefits of exercise include stress reduction and appetite suppression. Over time, exercise promotes effective blood flow, increases oxygen consumption, and strengthens the cardiac muscle. With stronger muscle, the heart beats more efficiently. Also, blood flows more easily through the vessels and at a lower pressure, thereby reducing systolic blood pressure.

Isotonic exercises, which are recommended for hypertensive patients, don’t put unnecessary strain on the heart. However, isometric exercises such as weight lifting significantly raise blood pressure. And participating in isometric exercises increases a hypertensive patient’s risk of sustaining an acute myocardial infarction (MI) or cerebrovascular accident.

Isometric exercises are not recommended because they also increase muscle tension and demand more oxygen. In hypertensive patients, the heart contracts with greater force than normal, so blood flows through the vessels with greater force. Hypertension also causes the arterioles and capillaries to be rigid. Therefore, blood flow through these vessels to the muscles may not meet the increased oxygen demands of isometric exercise. As exercise tolerance decreases, the muscles cramp, and a hypertensive patient may faint from lack of oxygen to the tissues.

Exercise Plan

Patients with known cardiac disease or other health problems need a thorough examination, including stress testing monitored by electrocardiography (ECG) , before beginning an exercise plan. Also, the patient’s physician should approve the program.

Walking is the ideal exercise for the hypertensive patient. The amount of walking should be increased gradually to establish exercise tolerance and to reduce the effects of overexercise .