High blood pressure: THIS is the best type of exercise for lowering blood pressure

High blood pressure is a condition in which the pressure of blood in the body is too high.

When blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on the blood vessels serving the organs, such as the brain and heart.

If not controlled and lowered, this strain can increase the risk of serious health problems like heart attacks and strokes.

Keeping active and exercising the body can help widen the blood vessels and strengthen the heart muscle, while lowering blood pressure.

However, certain types of exercise are more beneficial for blood pressure than others, while some should be avoided altogether.

“Different kinds of exercise and activity have different effects on your body,” said Blood Pressure UK.

“If you have high blood pressure, you should try to focus on activities that will help your heart and blood vessels.”

How do you know what sort of exercise can help the heart and blood vessels?

According to Blood Pressure UK, aerobic activity is the type of exercise that “helps the heart the most”.

Aerobic activities are repetitive and rhythmic, and use large muscle groups such as those in the legs, shoulders and arms.

What exercises are considered to be ‘aerobic’?

Some examples of aerobic activity are walking, jogging, swimming, dancing, cycling and tennis.

Even mowing the lawn is an aerobic activity and is good for blood pressure.

Blood Pressure UK advises consulting a doctor before starting any new activity if your blood pressure is very high.

On the other hand, people with high blood pressure should avoid exercises that are very intensive for short periods of time.

These include weight-lifting, squash and sprinting.

If you partake in these activities but have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor.

This types of activity will quickly raise blood pressure, putting unwanted strain on the heart and blood vessels.

Activities like scuba diving and parachuting can be dangerous if blood pressure is not controlled, warns Blood Pressure UK.

“You will need a medical certificate from your doctor to start or continue doing them,” said Blood Pressure UK.