Developing a routine of regular exercise can have variety of beneficial long-term effects on blood pressure. According to Texas Heart Institute, exercise improves and regulates blood pressure in several different ways, such as increased cardiac output, lower heart rate, improved fluid regulation, increased capillary formation and improved body composition. For some people, regular exercise can reduce the need for blood pressure medications.
Fluid Regulation
The amount of fluid or water in the blood, plays a huge role in determining blood pressure, which is the reason that diuretics are a commonly prescribed to patients with high blood pressure. By promoting the elimination of fluid from the body, diuretics reduce blood volume, which in turn, reduces blood pressure. explains that exercise can have much the same effect, helping to control blood volume as muscle contractions and relaxation help fluid and other waste products move through the system for efficient elimination.
Capillary Growth
Another way that exercise affects blood pressure over the long term is in the production of additional blood vessels. Habitual exercise increases the demand of muscles and other tissues for blood. The body responds to this demand by making new blood vessels, which spreads the blood throughout a larger area, reducing the amount of pressure in the circulatory system overall and improving its efficiency.
Body Composition
Regular exercise changes the composition of the body, promoting the loss of excess body fat and building muscle, factors that reduce the load on the heart and lower blood pressure. Blood vessels found in fat are not as healthy as those developed in muscle, as they clog easier and lack the assistance provided by muscle contraction to pump blood, which leaves the heart to do all the work to circulate blood through the blood vessels and back to the heart.
Cautions
Consult your doctor before beginning a new exercise plan, especially if you are over age 40, smoke, are overweight, have had a heart attack, or are being treated for high cholesterol or blood pressure. If exercise is a new addition to your daily routine, start slowly and gradually increase your activity to reduce the risk of sore muscles and injuries. If symptoms like chest pain or pressure, arm or jaw pain, dizziness, irregular heart beat, or extreme shortness of breath occur while exercising, seek medical attention immediately.
