Short bursts of intense exercise may be the surprising solution to lowering blood pressure and promoting heart health.
At a Glance
- Five minutes of daily intense exercise can reduce blood pressure.
- The British Heart Foundation-backed study gathered data from over 14,000 participants.
- A slight reduction in blood pressure significantly cuts cardiovascular risk.
- Wearable activity trackers have become vital for managing blood pressure.
The Study Behind the Claims
Recent research by University College London and the University of Sydney suggests short daily exercise can effectively reduce blood pressure. Published in ‘Circulation’ and supported by the British Heart Foundation, the study utilized activity trackers in 14,761 volunteers to correlate movement and blood pressure.
Data revealed that replacing idle habits with brief exercise moments decreased systolic blood pressure by 0.68 mmHg and diastolic by 0.54 mmHg. A reduction as small as 2 mmHg in systolic and 1mmHg in diastolic can lower cardiovascular disease risk by around 10%.
The Broader Implications
Dr. Arun Manmadhan “adds more evidence supporting the idea that even a small amount of movement can have a meaningful effect on cardiovascular health” – Dr. Arun Manmadhan is an assistant professor of medicine at the Columbia University in New York City, – Google, IA Overview.
The Need for Physical Activity
Globally, 1.28 billion adults suffer from hypertension, a prime contributor to premature death. Wearable tech has emerged as a significant asset in managing it. Regular short intervals like brisk walking, climbing stairs, or mini-sprints imbue health benefits.
Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, joint senior author of the study from the University of Sydney, said: “High blood pressure is one of the biggest health issues globally, but there may be relatively accessible ways to tackle the problem in addition to medication.The study messages that altering exercise patterns, even briefly, could influence public health significantly. Experts advocate for 30 minutes of daily aerobic activity to aid in blood pressure control. To ensure safety, especially for those with elevated blood pressure, always consult your doctor before embarking on new exercise routines.
