There is a very strong and direct link between blood pressure and doing exercise, In this article, we highlight this connection and the physiological changes in the body caused by changes in blood pressure.
What happens to blood pressure after exercise:
Exercise can raise blood pressure, but this is usually temporary. Blood pressure should gradually return to normal after finishing exercise. The faster it returns, the healthier you are.
Studies show exercise raises systolic blood pressure, which measures pressure in vessels when the heart beats. Diastolic pressure measures pressure between beats and shouldn’t change much during exercise. If it does, see your doctor.
It's hard to say exactly what blood pressure numbers are healthy after exercise since it varies from person to person.
Effects of exercise on blood pressure:
Aerobic activities like swimming, cycling, and running put extra strain on your heart and blood vessels. Your muscles need more oxygen than usual, so you have to breathe faster. This makes your heart pump blood stronger and faster to deliver oxygen to your muscles, which raises your systolic blood pressure.
Different factors can affect how your heart and blood vessels respond to exercise. These include diet, medical conditions, and medication effects. For example, people with high blood pressure can have their systolic pressure rise up to 250 units during exercise.
Generally, blood pressure should return to normal within a few hours after exercise. But you might notice it doesn't go exactly back to pre-exercise levels because it’s normal for it to drop a bit.
If you're at risk for high blood pressure or already have it, talk to your doctor about the safest way to exercise. This might include:
- Using medication to lower blood pressure.
- Choosing specific activities.
If you’re worried about your blood pressure, you can check it before, during, and after exercising.
Exercise advice for people with low blood pressure:
Also check with your doctor before starting a new workout program. If you have low blood pressure, exercises, especially those with sudden movements, can cause symptoms like dizziness, blurry vision, or nausea. This doesn't mean you shouldn't exercise. Actually, if you have low blood pressure, these workouts might help by improving blood flow.
So if you have low blood pressure, pick moderate activities where you don't have to bend down or get up quickly.
Blood pressure complications:
- If your blood pressure spikes quickly to 180/120 or higher, get emergency medical help. This could be a sign of a heart attack or stroke.
- Low blood pressure after exercise is also a risk factor that can lead to or be linked with high blood pressure and some heart diseases. Most people only get a slight drop in blood pressure after working out.
When should you get help?
You can get emergency medical help if you feel any of these symptoms:
- High blood pressure after exercise.
- Blood pressure drops after exercise.
- No change in blood pressure during exercise.
- Your systolic pressure (top number) goes over 200 during or after exercise.
- Your diastolic pressure (bottom number) changes a lot during exercise.
- Blood pressure reading goes over 180/120 during or after exercise.
