Exercise can cause changes in blood pressure. These changes are temporary and if your pressure is normal there is no danger involved. If you have uncontrolled or undiagnosed high blood pressure, however, the increase during exercise may be dangerous. It is important to understand your blood pressure readings and the changes that take place during exercise.
About Blood Pressure
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, your blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers -- systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure --the higher number -- is the pressure in your arteries as your heart beats and diastolic pressure --the lower number -- is the pressure in your arteries as your heart relaxes between beats.
BP and Exercise
During exercise it is normal for your systolic pressure to increase throughout your workout and your diastolic pressure to remain the same or slightly decrease. This increase in systolic is due to increased bodily exertion and your need for more oxygen. This causes your heart to beat or pump faster, thus increasing systolic pressure. The decrease in diastolic pressure is due to the vasodilation -- or expansion -- of the arteries during exercise. The widening of the arteries is what causes the slight decrease.
Classification
Blood pressure is classified into four different categories: normal, prehypertension, stage 1 hypertension and stage 2 hypertension. The normal reading for resting blood pressure is less than 120/80. If you are prehypertensive your reading is 120 to139/80 to 89. Stage 1 hypertension reads as 140 to159/90 to 99 and stage 2 hypertension reads as greater than160/100. According to MayoClinic.com , your doctor should take the average of two or more readings while you are seated.
Considerations
If your blood pressure is normal, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can prevent the onset of high blood pressure. If you are prehypertensive or in the stages of hypertension, aerobic exercise can help reduce your pressure within a few weeks of beginning your program. According to MayoClinic.com, medication may also be required along with exercise to decrease resting blood pressure. It is important to consult your physician about what your pressure level should be during exercise to avoid complications.
