A new study involving 1,993 participants with an average age of 58 conducted exercise tests and recorded blood pressure data at enrollment. Results revealed that exercise systolic blood pressure positively correlated with left ventricular mass and carotid intima-media thickness, while recovery time from systolic blood pressure negatively correlated with both. This indicates that higher exercise blood pressure elevation and slower recovery are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk.A 12-year follow-up revealed that exercise systolic and diastolic blood pressure positively correlated with hypertension risk, while post-exercise systolic recovery negatively correlated with cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality risk.
During exercise, muscles demand more oxygen, prompting the heart to pump blood harder throughout the body, leading to elevated systolic pressure. This effect is temporary, with blood pressure gradually returning to normal after exercise.If blood pressure remains excessively high or recovers too slowly after exercise, it may be due to a combination of factors such as impaired endothelial function, oxidative stress, and sympathetic nervous system dysfunction. These damages can affect cardiovascular health, making post-exercise blood pressure a useful indicator for assessing cardiovascular disease risk.
So, can individuals with hypertension still exercise? The answer is yes, and there are no restrictions on exercise types. Any activity that is enjoyable and safe can be pursued. Aerobic exercises like brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or square dancing are excellent choices. Strength training, such as push-ups or planks, can also be appropriately incorporated weekly.When exercising, pay attention to four key points: 1. Avoid exercise with excessively high blood pressure: If resting blood pressure exceeds 180/110 mmHg, moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise is not recommended.2. Timing considerations: Morning blood pressure is often elevated in hypertensive individuals. Exercise is best scheduled in the afternoon or early evening. 3. Warm-up and cool-down: Perform a 5–10 minute warm-up before starting your workout. Avoid stopping abruptly afterward; instead, gradually reduce intensity or do light stretching.4. Monitor physical symptoms: If experiencing shortness of breath, rapid or irregular heartbeat during exercise, slow down or rest. If feeling chest pain, weakness, dizziness, or pain in the jaw or arms, stop exercising immediately and seek medical attention promptly.