Exercise can ward off high blood pressure

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Young adults who spend time on exercise have a reduced risk of developing high blood pressure, according to a study.
Regular exercise is often recommended to keep blood pressure under control. Now a new study reveals that exercise can stop blood pressure increasing in years to come. Researchers at the University of Minnesota used data that tracked the relationship between exercise levels and blood pressure measurements in nearly 4,000 black and white men and women over a 15 year period.

This is the first study to look at the exercise and blood pressure link in young adults. Overall, 634 adults went on to develop high blood pressure. Those who exercised an average of five times a week, expending 300 calories per session, had a 17 per cent reduced risk of high blood pressure compared to less active participants. In addition, those who increased total physical activity from the start of the study reduced their risk of high blood pressure by 11 per cent for each 1,500 calories expended on exercise. Therefore, keeping up a reasonable level of exercise is a good investment for the future - as it can protect you from high blood pressure.

Source
American Journal of Public Health April 2007

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