Cardio Workouts & Pulse Pressure

Your pulse pressure is the difference between your systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements. For example, if your blood pressure reading is 110/70 millimeters of mercury, or mm Hg, your pulse pressure would be 40 mm Hg. Every 10 mm Hg increase in pulse pressure may raise your risk for stroke and cardiovascular disease. Regular cardiovascular exercise training improves your heart health and aids in blood pressure and pulse pressure management.

Blood Pressure

The first number in your blood pressure reading is your systolic blood pressure. This measures the force of blood on your artery walls as your heart contracts. Your diastolic blood pressure is the second number of your blood pressure reading and measures the force on your artery walls when your heart rests. A normal, healthy pulse pressure should be 40 mm Hg.

Aerobic Exercise

Common causes of an elevated pulse pressure include stiffness in your aorta -- the largest artery in your body. This stiffness may be caused by high blood pressure or fatty deposits on the walls of your arteries. The greater your pulse pressure, the stiffer and more damaged your arteries may be. A 2005 analysis published in "Hypertension" concluded that regular aerobic exercise training reduces blood pressure through decreases in vascular resistance and other improvements to your cardiovascular system.

Recommendations

To gain the cardiovascular benefits associated with aerobic exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on five days each week. Increase your heart rate to between 50 percent and 70 percent of your maximum heart rate to stay within the moderate intensity range. Estimate your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. Meeting these exercise recommendations promotes improved blood pressure, increased blood flow and decreases potential for artery blockages.

Considerations

Talk to your doctor before beginning a new cardiovascular exercise training program if you are concerned about your blood pressure or pulse pressure. A severe iron deficiency and an overactive thyroid are other conditions that may contribute to an elevated pulse pressure.