During exercise, the cardiovascular system supports your activity by providing oxygenated blood to your working muscles. Because the demands are heightened during activity, your heart must work harder, which is reflected in a higher blood pressure reading during exercise versus inactivity. Several factors control the degree to which it varies, including your state of health and physical fitness.
Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure reading consists of two figures, the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Systolic blood pressure or the top number of your reading, measures the pressure when your heart contracts. Diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure when your heart is at rest. During exercise, the greatest effects are seen in systolic blood pressure.
Exercise Effects
During exercise, your body's demands for oxygen and fuel increase. One of the roles of the cardiovascular system is to meet these needs. This is evident in a rise in blood pressure and heart rate. The amount of blood pumped with each beat or stroke volume increases to deliver more oxygenated blood, placing a greater strain on the heart. When you work out, the stroke volume may double. Because of the added volume, pressure increases within the heart, which affects your blood pressure reading.
Considerations
Other things can affect your blood pressure reading during exercise, including the type of exercise. The more intensely you work out, the higher your heart rate and stroke volume will be. Your breathing technique also can impact your blood pressure. A 1995 study by Loma Linda University in California found that keeping the glottis closed during weightlifting nearly doubled the blood pressure of participants versus slow inhalation through an open glottis. The glottis is the portion of your larynx or voice box that you can control to make sounds.
Long-Term Effects
If you exercise regularly, you help your body adapt to the demands of exercise. This sets the stage for physiological changes that make the body more efficient. These changes are evident in blood pressure. In well-trained athletes, the stroke volume does not increase as high during exercise as it does with untrained individuals. The difference in volume means lower blood pressure during exercise. The adaptations of the cardiovascular system also are evident when you are not exercising. The American Heart Association recommends that you exercise at least 150 minutes a week to prevent and treat high blood pressure.
References
- "Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems"; L. Sherwood; 2008
- MedLine Plus: Blood Pressure
- Sports Fitness Advisor: The Cardiovascular System and Exercise
- "Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation"; Influence of Breathing Technique on Arterial Blood Pressure during Heavy Weight Lifting; J. Narloch and M. Brandstater; May 1995
- Teach PE: Long-Term Effects of Exercise
- American Heart Association: Physical Activity and Blood Pressure
