Mixed
Regular, moderately intense aerobic exercise combined with antihypertensive medication significantly reduces diastolic blood pressure and regresses left ventricular hypertrophy in African-American men with severe hypertension.
If you have severe high blood pressure, don't avoid exercise. Start with moderate aerobic activity like stationary cycling, aiming for 3 sessions a week where you keep your heart rate at 60-80% of your maximum. This approach is safe, helps lower your blood pressure, and can even reverse heart thickening, potentially allowing you to reduce your medication dosage under a doctor's supervision.
Regular exercise reduced blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy in African-American men with severe hypertension.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial published in NEJM, though sample size is modest (N=46) and attrition was significant.
Source
Effects of Regular Exercise on Blood Pressure and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in African-American Men with Severe Hypertension
Peter Kokkinos et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 1995
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