Short Exercise Reduces Blood Pressure

Short Exercise Reduces Blood Pressure

nbcnews.com

Short Exercise Reduces Blood Pressure

A new study shows that even five minutes of vigorous exercise daily can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.

English
United States
HealthLifestyleWellbeingFitnessBlood PressureHeart
University College LondonCenters For Disease Control And PreventionColumbia University Vagelos College Of Physicians And SurgeonsMount Sinai Fuster Heart HospitalNew York University Langone Medical Health
Mark HamerArun ManmadhanMatthew TomeySean P. HeffronEvan Brittain
How was the data for this study collected and analyzed?
The study combined data from six prior studies, tracking the activity levels of nearly 15,000 participants. Researchers found that replacing inactive behaviors with even 5 minutes of vigorous exercise led to measurable reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
How can technology help people track their exercise progress?
Step trackers on smartphones or other devices can help individuals monitor their activity levels and track progress towards their fitness goals. Short bursts of activity have proven to be just as beneficial as longer, continuous workouts.
What is the main finding of the study regarding exercise and blood pressure?
Just five minutes of vigorous exercise daily can help lower blood pressure, according to a new study. This small amount of exercise can lead to improvements in cardiovascular health, even before significant amounts of time are invested.
What are the potential benefits of increasing vigorous exercise to 20 minutes?
Increasing vigorous exercise to 20 minutes could lead to a two-point decrease in systolic blood pressure, potentially resulting in a 7-10% reduction in heart disease and stroke death risk. This improvement highlights the significant health benefits of even modest increases in physical activity.
What advice do experts offer to people who want to start exercising but are concerned about time or fitness level?
Experts advise that while five minutes a day is a good starting point for those out of shape, it's possible to gradually increase exercise time to achieve a greater clinical effect on cardiovascular health. This approach can help overcome barriers to starting an exercise program.