Aerobic exercise, the ideal ally against hypertension
It is important to specify that measuring blood pressure only when you go to the doctor's office is not the most appropriate
Researchers from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, conclude that aerobic exercise, like walking and swimming, reduces heart pressure terial in people with hypertension all day. The combination with strength training HIIT was also shown to have significant effects.
A study, published in British Journal of Sports Medicine, shows that this type of exercise reduces blood pressure throughout the entire day, even while you're sleeping.
The research was carried out by members of the Postgraduate Program in Cardiology and the Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology of the referred Brazilian university.
Evaluation Methods
It is important to specify that measuring blood pressure only when you go to the doctor's office is not the most appropriate as it is a specific reading that does not reflect what happens during sleep, work or daily activities.
Therefore, use is made of blood pressure MAP, which records pressure in minute intervals for 24 hours using a portable device; a method more accurately predicts the risk of heart attack or stroke.
For the study systematic searches were conducted in the databases MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central and the Regional Portal of the Virtual Library in Health from November 2024 to August 2025, in addition to include randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effects of physical training.
Recommendations for the management of hypertension
Researchers suggest integrating aerobic exercise and combined training into clinical guidelines as primary antihypertension strategies.
They conclude that aerobic training (continuous and interval) and combined training significantly reduce ambulatory blood pressure, although the evidence on dynamic and isometric resistance training remains uncertain.
Finally, they emphasize the need for more extensive studies to validate the effects of other types of exercise, such as yoga and Pilates.
Risks associated with exercise practice
However, there are risks, but for most people with hypertension, exercise is also beneficial if it is well-chosen and supervised. The main danger or it appears with very high intensities, isometric exercises, lifting maximum loads or Valsalva maneuver, because they can elevate blood pressure too much.
What exercise is usually safer?
Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is usually the most recommended because it helps lower blood pressure. Strength can also be included, but avoiding maximums, prolonged isometry, and breath holding.
There should be caution if hypertension is moderate or severe, if organic complications exist or if the pressure is not well-controlled. In those cases, a medical assessment is usually appropriate before initiating or increasing training.
If you have hypertension, the goal is not to avoid exercise, but to do it in a moderate, progressive and controlled way, preferably with professional guidance.
An effective approach to reducing cravings to smoke involves at least one exercise session Hidden epidemic: alcohol ol wreaks havoc on US public health How to address childhood obesity to not stigmatize or generate trauma