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According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 1 out of 3 Americans have hypertension or high blood pressure (http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/). This alarming statistic concides with another national epidemic: obesity. While obesity statistics vary by study and region, the latest research indicates that more than 72 million U.S. adults, and 16% of U.S. children, meet the criteria for obesity. (Obesity: Halting the epidemic by making health easier; CDC At A Glance, 2009 pdf). Because obesity and high blood pressure often go hand-in-hand, a regular exercise program can be a means to manage and treat both conditions simultaneously.
Hypertension and high blood pressure
Normal resting BP is less than 120/80 mmHg. The first number, 120, represents the systolic pressure, or pressure against the artery walls when the heart contracts. The lower number, 80, is the diastolic pressure – pressure against the artery walls between heart beats.
Pre-hypertension is defined as having a diastolic reading between 120-139 mmHg and systolic reading between 80-89 mmHg. .
Stage 1 hypertension is a BP of 140-159/90-99 mmHg
Stage 2 hypertension is a BP greater thean 160/100 mmHg
The current lifestyle modification recommendation by the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services (JNC 7 Express – 2003) indicate that exercise can bring about positive and long-term changes in blood pressure. The current benchmark is thirty minutes of “moderate” activity on five or more days of the week.
What is moderate activity?
If you have “high normal” or stage 1 hypertension, you can expect a 8-10 mg drop in systolic and 6-10 mg drop in diastolic BP during moderate exercise (40-60% of VoO2). Resistance training can also help decrease systolic and diastolic BP, 2 and 4%, respectively, in individuals with high normal and stage 1 hypertension. (IDEA Personal Trainer: Exercise and Resting BP, Len Kravitz, PhD, July-August 2001)
To download the full pdf. version of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s guidelines and suggestions for reducing blood pressure, visit Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure.
Also, the CDC Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity is a great resource for indivuals looking for healthy ways to both reduce their weight and blood pressure.
As always, if you have high blood pressure or hypertension, please consult your physician before engaging in a fitness program.
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For a program to be truly effective, it must include both cardiovascular and strength training activities. True, you burn more calories during cardiovascular activity sustained within your target heart rate zone for 20-mins or more, but weight training builds muscle, tones and strengthens your body, and keeps your metabolism at an optimal level. Muscle is also where fat is burned!
Cardio 411
The Benefits of Cardiovascular Training
The benefits of consistent training extend beyond the obvious changes that occur. Yes, your physique will shrink, the number on your scale will go down, and your wardrobe will become more flattering. In the short term, you will:
• Develop a healthier heart
• Increase endurance
• Strengthen muscles, bones and joints
• Sleep better
• Improve sense of well-being
• Cope with stress better
• Burn calories more efficiently
Those are some great benefits for a modest time commitment on your part. But wait, there is more…over the long-term, regular physical activity will also reduce your risk of:
• Dying prematurely
• Dying from heart disease
• Developing diabetes
• Developing high blood pressure
• Becoming obese
Some studies correlate regular exercise with a lower incidence of colon, breast, lung and multiple myeloma cancers.