Doctor suggests one miracle medicine for high blood pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common health condition affecting millions of people worldwide. While medication can help control blood pressure, there's another, often-overlooked treatment that can work wonders i.e., exercise.

Dr. Sanjay Mittal, Director, Clinical and Preventive Cardiology, Heart Institute Medanta Gurugram says, “Regular physical activity has been proven to be a miracle medication for patients with hypertension, with benefits ranging from lowering blood pressure to reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. You should avoid physical activity that raises your heart rate very quickly. These can include: Sprinting, lifting heavy weights, playing competitive field games, high-intensity workouts. They should also avoid yoga exercises that involve stooping and straining.”

Some of the ways in which exercise benefits patients with hypertension include:

Exercise can help reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the top number that measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats, while diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number that measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats. Regular exercise can lead to a reduction in blood pressure of 5-7 mmHg, which is similar to the effects of some blood pressure medications.

It can help improve cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart muscle, improving blood flow, and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Dr. Mittal says, “Exercise helps in reducing stress and anxiety levels, which can result in lowering high blood pressure.”

Exercise can help promote weight loss, which is important for patients with hypertension as obesity is a risk factor for high blood pressure.

“Exercise helps in improving insulin sensitivity, which can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes which is a major risk factor for hypertension,” says Dr. Mittal.

Exercise can enhance the function of the endothelium, which is the inner lining of blood vessels. This can help improve blood flow and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

According to Dr. Mittal, “The key to exercising with high blood pressure is to start gradually, increasing intensity over time. This will ensure you’re increasing your heart rate slowly without any sudden spikes, which could result in a heart attack or arterial rupture.”
Brisk Walking: It is a low-impact exercise that can help improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Cycling: Cycling is an excellent aerobic exercise that can help strengthen the heart, improve lung function, and lower blood pressure.
Swimming: Swimming is a low-impact exercise that can help improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and lower blood pressure.
Strength Training: Strength training can help improve muscle mass, which can help burn calories and promote weight loss. It can also help reduce blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity.
Yoga: Yoga is an excellent way to reduce stress and improve overall cardiovascular health. It can help lower blood pressure and improve flexibility, balance, and muscle strength.

Incorporating these exercises into a daily routine, along with a healthy diet, can help manage hypertension and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.