Blood pressure is a measurement of the work of the heart, and systolic blood pressure identifies how hard the heart is working. The heart is a type of muscle, and with each contraction, it pushes blood into the circulatory system to oxygenate the body's tissues. Stress, diet, medications and exercise can all affect your systolic blood pressure.
Identification
Systolic blood pressure is the measurement of the force of blood against the inside of the arteries, while diastolic blood pressure records the level of rest between the heart's contractions. Systolic blood pressure is affected by the force of each contraction as well as the size of the arteries. Blood pressure is measured and read as two numbers: the systolic result followed by the diastolic result in milligrams of mercury (mmHg). A normal blood pressure reading is at or below 120/80 mmHg.
Hypertension
According to the University of New Mexico, high blood pressure is considered to be a systolic blood pressure reading over 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure reading over 90 mmHg. Moderate aerobic exercise for 30 to 45 minutes most days of the week can help lower systolic blood pressure levels by 8 to 10 mmHg .
Significance
When you practice aerobic exercise, such as jogging, team sports or brisk walking, your systolic blood pressure rises. This occurs because you are using large muscles that need more oxygen to keep moving. The heart begins to beat faster to keep up with demand, and your respiratory rate increases. The increased pumping and force of the heart's contractions cause a rise in systolic blood pressure, while your diastolic blood pressure remains approximately the same.
Recovery
How long it takes for systolic blood pressure to return to normal after exercise is a test of the body's cardiovascular function. This also depends on your age, gender and intensity of exercise. In a 2009 study published in the "International Journal of Exercise Science," author Andrew Ugwu found that systolic blood pressure in women returns to normal more quickly after exercise than in men. Likewise, levels normalize after exercise more quickly among younger people.
Considerations
If you have high systolic blood pressure, any amount of exercise that you add to your routine can be beneficial. It is not necessary to begin a high-intensity, strenuous exercise routine to manage your systolic blood pressure. The more you regularly practice exercising, the more your body tolerates activity. Inactivity is a risk factor for high blood pressure, which contributes to heart disease. If you have been physically inactive, check with your doctor before starting an exercise routine to ensure you are exercising at an acceptable level for your condition.
