Moderate Exercise Lowers Hypertension

It only takes 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a week to significantly lower blood pressure, Japanese researchers reported in late August.

That amount of aerobic exercise spread out over a week reduced systolic blood pressure -- the top number on a blood pressure reading -- an average of 12 points and the lower or diastolic reading by 8 points, the researchers found.

Doctors consider optimal blood pressure to be 120/80 or lower.

Many guidelines currently call for anywhere between half an hour and an hour of moderate exercise on most days of the week to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.

Kazuko Ishikawa-Takata and colleagues at Japan's National Institute of Health and Nutrition tested 207 men and women who had high blood pressure but were otherwise healthy. None exercised regularly.

They divided them into five groups who got a range of exercise from none to two hours and more a week. Those in the group that got 60 to 90 minutes of exercise had the greatest drop in blood pressure.

They said their findings should encourage people who think they cannot exercise enough to improve their health.

High blood pressure is becoming more common around the world. Nearly 50 million Americans -- 23 percent of the population -- have high blood pressure of 140/90 or more. It can lead to strokes, heart attacks and kidney failure.

The Japanese researchers’ report is published in the late August issue of the American Journal of Hypertension.

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Khorsheed.com – Sep 2003