Moderate to vigorous exercise provokes both chemical changes within the body and clearly perceptible physical changes, such as rapid breathing and heartbeat, quickened pulse and increase in perspiration as your body attempts to maintain homeostasis. Exercise delivers nutrient-rich blood to all parts of the body, increases muscle health and endurance, and gives your heart an excellent workout, necessary for heart efficiency since the heart is also a muscle. Because of these benefits, high blood pressure is also reduced due to dilation of constricted blood vessels and improved heart health.
What is Blood Pressure?
The amount of pressure exerted on vessel walls by circulating blood constitutes an individual's blood pressure. Systolic and diastolic numbers indicate whether blood is freely flowing through the heart and body or whether cholesterol, clots or other medical issues are obstructing it. In a sample blood pressure of 116/75, the first number called the systolic, represents pressure when the heart contracts, while the second number or the diastolic represents the pressure when the heart is relaxed. Factors that detrimentally influence blood pressure include obesity, smoking, diet, stress and genetics. Generally, in individuals over the age of 25, a good blood pressure reading should be between 100/65 and 120/80.
Heart Rate
A heart rate is the number of heartbeats counted in 1 minute which varies among individuals due to body size, physical and mental condition and metabolic rate. Heart rates also increase when someone participates in activities or experiences conditions requiring more oxygen and energy. Many health problems are diagnosed by measuring heart rate because someone experiencing abnormally increased heart rates while at rest may have an infection, inflammation or heart abnormality. A heart rate slower than normal can also indicate health problems, such as malnutrition, myocarditis or atrioventricular block.
What Happens During Exercise
Exerting muscles during any kind physical activity such as moderate walking, swimming and aerobics expends cellular energy in the form of ATP. As ATP is consumed, muscles create and discharge by-products such as carbon dioxide and adenosine that help capillaries to dilate and deliver fresh blood to other muscles and areas of the body. Because the body needs more oxygen and energy while exercising, the heart rate increases to meet these demands. Blood pressure rises as well because blood is pumping forcefully through capillaries, veins and arteries.
Warning Symptoms
While exercising is extremely beneficial to the body's health, too much exercise when the body is not prepared or strong enough may cause problems such as dizziness, hyperventilation, tachycardia, nausea or severe headache that may need immediate emergency care. Someone who is beginning an exercise program should be cautious regarding the vigor of the program until her muscles and cardiovascular system have been appropriately conditioned.
References
- American College of Sports Medicine Resources for the Personal Trainer, 2007
- MayoClinic.com: Heart Rate
- "Human Anatomy & Physiology"; Marieb, Elaine; Katja Hoehn, 2007
- MayoClinic.com: Exercise: A Drug-Free Approach to Lowering High Blood Pressure
