How regular fitness reduces hypertension

Regular physical fitness exercise has been identified by experts as one of the ways of both preventing and managing high blood pressure.

According to an associate professor of medicine at the University of Ilorin, Dr Kolawole Wahab, and a fitness instructor in Lagos, Mr Martins Isuman, individuals must undertake a minimum of 30 minutes to one hour physical fitness exercise daily to lower blood pressure.

While saying it should be done daily, either morning or evening, the experts advised that those who could not do it every day should engage in it at least three non-consecutive days per week.

In an exclusive chat with Daily Trust, the experts agreed that brisk walking, jogging, swimming, skipping, running, dancing and aerobics will assist in burning some calories.

Regular physical activity in Dr Wahab’s words, will help lower blood pressure. “Those with hypertension can achieve a reduction of their blood pressure by up to 8 mmHg through consistent aerobic exercises.”

“Blood pressure increases in tandem with increase in body weight. The good thing is that weight reduction is one of the most effective lifestyle changes that lead to a reduction in blood pressure. Indeed, research evidence shows that for each one kilogramme lost, the blood pressure reduces by 1 mmHg.

“While shedding weight is important, it is also important to keep a healthy waistline as this improves blood pressure control,” said Dr Wahab, who is also secretary to the Nigerian Hypertension Society.

Regarding the benefits of fitness to the body, fitness instructor Isuman said fitness regulates the body system, makes someone smart, more proactive and fit. “Most importantly, fitness makes the organs of the heart pump blood freely into the vessels. So, instead of having a congested blood which leads to a rise in the blood pressure, fitness makes the blood flows well to the vessels,” he said.

Dr Wahab however urged individuals to discuss developing exercise programmes with their doctors before starting.

Asides fitness, the doctor said there is the need for lifestyle change that will lead to reduced blood pressure in hypertensives as well as reduce the risk of developing hypertension in those with normal blood pressure.