Can one reduce blood pressure with exercise alone?

Question

Hello doctor,

My blood pressure is high. Can I reduce my blood pressure from 146/95 mmHg to normal, just with regular exercises? I started working out at the gym for an hour, both in the mornings as well as in the evenings, for the last two days. Do I still need to continue my medications?

Please suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I observe that your BMI (body mass index) is 28, which means you fall under the overweight category. Reducing your weight and aiming for a BMI of around 20 will directly help lower your blood pressure. Additionally, please check if you have a snoring problem, as you may be experiencing sleep apnea, which is a reversible cause of high blood pressure. I suggest focusing on aerobic exercises rather than weightlifting.

I hope this helps you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The reduction of your blood pressure depends more on the amount of weight loss than on the time taken. Every 2.2 pounds of weight loss roughly translates to a 1 mmHg decrease in systolic (upper) blood pressure, which means you should ideally aim to lose around 39 pounds. The guidelines still recommend medication for your current level of blood pressure, so I would not advise an abrupt cessation of your medications.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.