High blood pressure is a very common condition that affects more than a quarter of all adults in the UK. Your workout routine could be raising your chances of developing high blood pressure, it’s been claimed.
High blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension, is a serious medical condition that increases the risk of some deadly complications.
Hypertension puts extra stress on the blood vessels, which are responsible for delivering blood to the body’s vital organs.
People with high blood pressure are more at risk of heart attacks and strokes.
If you have hypertension, you should make some small changes to your exercise routine to avoid deadly complications.
Some types of exercise aren’t ideal for high blood pressure patients.
Sprinting, in particular, should be avoided for anyone with hypertension.
It might lead to sudden spikes in blood pressure, which could be incredibly dangerous.
Putting too much stress on your heart and blood vessels raises your chances of a heart attack or stroke.
Charity Blood Pressure UK said: “If you have high blood pressure, focus on aerobic activities as these will help your heart and blood vessels most, but avoid activities which put too much strain on your heart.
“Any exercise that is very intensive for short periods of time, such as sprinting or weightlifting, [is less helpful].
“They raise your blood pressure very quickly and put too much strain on your heart and blood vessels.
“Some extreme sports such as scuba diving or parachuting can be dangerous if your blood pressure is not under control. You will need a medical certificate from your doctor to start or continue doing them.”
If you have high blood pressure and want to mix up your workout routine, it’s best to stick to aerobic activities, it added.
Aerobic exercises are those that get your heart rate up while using rhythmic motions; for example, jogging, swimming, and walking.
They use all of the main muscle groups in the body, but aren’t as likely to spark sudden rises in blood pressure.
Everyone should aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week.
You could also lower your blood pressure by making a few changes to your daily diet, said Blood Pressure UK.
The easiest way to lower your blood pressure is to cut back on the amount of salt you eat.
Adults should avoid eating more than 6g of salt in a 24-hour period – the equivalent to about a teaspoonful.
Everyone over the age of 40 years old should check their blood pressure at least once every five years.
