Exercise definitely helps to offset the negative effects of high blood pressure. Since cardiovascular exercise strengthens your heart muscle, it becomes more efficient at pumping blood throughout your blood, thus lowering your blood pressure overall. Research directly linking high blood pressure to eye pain during exercise remains inconclusive; however, seek medical advice if your blood pressure is high and you find that your eyes hurt during exercise. This condition can seriously impede your enjoyment and may even lead to a loss of motivation for exercise.
Eye Impact
High blood pressure can affect the small blood vessels that feed the eyes. Increased pressure build-up in the arteries damages the interior lining of the arteries, which can limit blood flow to the eyes. Eye pain during exercise can indicate blood vessel damage, and could also signal the onset of retinopathy, which if left untreated can lead to blindness.
Nutrition
If high blood pressure causes your eyes to hurt when you exercise, certain nutrients may help ease the symptoms. According to the American Optometric Association, lutein and zeaxanthin -- antioxidants found in dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, collard greens and spinach -- can help support eye health while simultaneously keeping your weight and blood pressure manageable.
Prevention
High blood pressure typically responds to medication and exercise, so you may find that if you stick with your exercise routine, your eye symptoms will diminish. Other lifestyle changes including quitting smoking, limiting your alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy body weight will also help manage high blood pressure eye symptoms.
Warning
In most cases, high blood pressure is a chronic condition that accrues over many years. However, blood pressure can sometimes rise rapidly and cause severe health problems such as pulmonary edema, stroke or acute renal failure. If you have other symptoms besides eye pain -- such as seizures -- contact emergency medical personnel immediately.
