High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common cause of health problems. While exercise can help lower blood pressure, some activities might exacerbate your pre-existing blood pressure condition and its side effects. Below are some exercises to avoid should your blood pressure be high.
Sprinting and Weightlifting
Both sprinting and weightlifting are intense exercises that strain the heart and blood vessels. The reason is that you’re exerting much force within short periods, which will make your blood pressure rise.
Weightlifting, in particular, is worse, as it has both short- and long-term effects. You get a temporary blood pressure increase after lifting weights. However, the long-term effects of these exercises can have serious adverse results on your blood pressure. Overall, avoid these strenuous activities if your blood pressure is higher than 180/110 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Scuba Diving and Skydiving
Scuba diving and skydiving may not appear similar, but the reality is different. Both are considered extreme sports and involve rapidly changing air pressure inside and outside the body, which is unhealthy for those with high blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure and want to participate in these sports, you’ll have to be certified by a doctor first.
What to Do Instead?
Avoiding high-intensity exercise is the first step of lowing your blood pressure. Instead, it would be best if you tried moderate-intensity activities such as taking walks or swimming. If you’re committed, daily exercises can lower your resting blood pressure by five to eight mm Hg.
Overall, it would help not to exert yourself too much. Even 30 minutes of controlled exercise will help combat high blood pressure. It even extends your life by 30% in the long run.
