Can one join a gym to reduce blood pressure?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been checking my blood pressure for a week now, and it is mostly around 134/94 mmHg. A physician advised me not to work out at the gym. Can you please advise me if I can join a gym? My parents and a few other relatives have high blood pressure. I had an ECG and chest X-ray last year, and both were normal.

Please provide your opinion.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your blood pressure readings are definitely on the higher side. Initially, you should be evaluated for high blood pressure. You will need additional tests such as ABPM (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring), echocardiography, serum creatinine, serum electrolytes, and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). After the investigations, if a cause is identified, it should be treated to control your blood pressure. If no cause is found, then dietary and lifestyle modifications, such as a low-salt diet, should be made to see how your blood pressure responds.

Regarding your main concern about the gym, you should be evaluated as mentioned above before starting any gym activities. With your current blood pressure level, you may only join a gym after this evaluation, as it will guide us on the level of activity you can perform based on the cause of your high blood pressure.

Thanks and regards.