| Oftentimes we are concerned with the feasibility | | | | forms of exercise include: basketball, volleyball, |
| of exercising when suffering from an ailment. For | | | | softball, tennis and racquetball among others. |
| patients of high blood pressure (hypertension) this | | | | These types of activities are suggested for |
| is of even greater concern, with questions | | | | persons who would be more comfortable in |
| surrounding their body's ability to endure the rigors | | | | participating in team activities or who may benefit |
| of this increased activity and the wisdom of | | | | from the support and encouragement of others. |
| subjecting it to this additional pressure. This need | | | | Yoga, Tai Chi chuan or any other form of martial |
| not be of concern. In fact if you're suffering from | | | | arts could also be beneficial. For the patients of |
| high blood pressure, moderate to medium | | | | high blood pressure (hypertension) it's important |
| exercise can be one of the most effective ways | | | | to remember that the aim is to participate in |
| of controlling it. Consider that the heart is a | | | | moderate forms of exercise. Moderate implies |
| muscle and similar to all other muscles, it maintains | | | | that you must exert yourself a little without |
| or increases strength with regular activity and | | | | getting too out of breath. |
| loses its elasticity with inactivity and age. Exercise | | | | Your choice of exercise should be one which you |
| not only improves your cardiovascular system but | | | | like to do and can be incorporated into your daily |
| can help in lowering your cholesterol and | | | | routine without too much difficulty. Doing so would |
| maintaining a healthy body weight, both of which | | | | insure its longevity. Varying your exercise regimen |
| are contributors to hypertension. | | | | will also help in breaking the monotony and |
| Although it is unclear as to exactly how exercise | | | | encourage you to continue. An adequate exercise |
| contributes to a lowering of high blood pressure, | | | | regimen should consist of at least thirty (30) |
| one of the prevailing theories is that exercise | | | | minutes of exercise three to five times a week, |
| (aerobic) reduces insulin and insulin resistance, two | | | | at least every other day. An alternative method |
| of the factors associated with the development | | | | as suggested by the Surgeon General is that "all |
| of hypertension. It's also undeniable that regular | | | | adults should accumulate 30 minutes of |
| physical activity strengthens the heart, the | | | | moderate-intensity activity on most, if not all days |
| stronger the heart the lower the amount of | | | | of the week. The key words are "accumulate" |
| effort needed to pump blood thus decreasing the | | | | and "moderate-intensity." Accumulate means that |
| strain on your arteries and lowering your blood | | | | you can do 10-15 minutes at a time and repeat |
| pressure. Research has continuously shown that | | | | that a couple of times throughout the day; for |
| cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent | | | | example, 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes at |
| among those individuals who are least fit, with | | | | lunch, and 10 minutes around dinner. Moderate |
| hypertension being 30% to 50% more likely to | | | | intensity is equivalent to feeling "warm and slightly |
| occur. | | | | out of breath" when you do it." |
| Exercise programs are slotted into two distinct | | | | The natural aging process increases the chances |
| categories: Aerobic and Anaerobic. Aerobic | | | | of getting high blood pressure but participating in |
| exercise strengthens and enlarges the heart | | | | some form of exercise can reduce this risk. A |
| muscle along with the muscles of the respiratory | | | | single workout may reduce your blood pressure |
| system. The end result being that your | | | | for the whole day and exercising regularly, |
| cardiovascular system is strengthened, while your | | | | consistently keeps the pressure down. It's a |
| stamina and overall strength is increased. The | | | | personal choice as to what type of exercise one |
| decrease in your heart rate will, by extension lead | | | | should follow but whatever type you choose you |
| to a decrease in your blood pressure over time. | | | | should first consult your doctor and get his/her |
| Anaerobic exercise on the other hand is useful in | | | | recommendations, particularly if you are taking |
| building: strength, muscle mass and speed, while | | | | medication for high blood pressure. Self monitoring |
| also increasing the metabolic rate and is deemed | | | | (heart rate monitor) during exercise is also |
| to be more beneficial to athletes. | | | | advised. If there's discomfort in the chest, jaw or |
| All physical activity which increases your heart and | | | | arm or you experience dizziness or severe |
| breathing rate can be considered aerobic, including | | | | shortage of breath, stop all exercises immediately |
| such everyday activities as: bicycling, walking, | | | | and notify your doctor, if these symptoms |
| dancing, climbing the stairs, mowing the lawn, | | | | persist call 911. |
| raking leaves etc. More formal and structured | | | | © 2010 - All Rights Reserved. |