In the mid-1970s, Dr. Ronald Wiley developed a hand-grip device to keep pilots from losing consciousness by increasing their blood pressure and improving circulation to their brains. The device had an interesting side-effect, however, and after prolonged use the pilots exhibited a lower resting blood pressure. The device is now available for people with hypertension and has shown modest reductions in patients' blood pressure levels, according to the Harvard Medical School. Those who are unable to purchase the device can achieve similar results by squeezing a tennis ball, according to Dr. Alan Rubin, author of "High Blood Pressure for Dummies."
Step 1
Put the tennis ball in the palm of your hand and wrap your fingers loosely around the ball.
Step 2
Squeeze the ball as hard as is comfortable and hold for at least five seconds. Relax your grip for two seconds and repeat 10 times.
Step 3
Rest for five seconds and do 10 more repetitions with the same hand.
Step 4
Move the ball to your other hand and repeat the full sequence.
Tips and Warnings
- Consult your physician before beginning this program. Do not use this exercise as a substitute for medication or doctor supervision. As you become stronger, increase the hold time to 10 seconds and the number of repetitions to 15. If a tennis ball is too difficult to squeeze, try a handball, towel or rolled newspaper.
Things You'll Need
- Tennis ball
References
- "High Blood Pressure for Dummies"; Alan L. Rubin M.D.; 2007
- Harvard Medical School: Squeezing Your Way to Lower Blood Pressure
