Adherence
Regular aerobic exercise of at least 150 minutes per week reduces systolic blood pressure by 4–7 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 3–4 mm Hg.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, spread over 5-7 days. This could be brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. This amount of exercise can lower your blood pressure by an amount similar to taking a blood pressure medication. If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, avoid high-intensity exercise until it is managed.
Aerobic exercise reduces BP by approximately 4–7/3–4 mm Hg... Recommended targets include at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (≥30 minutes on 5–7 days per week)
Why this rating
Supported by multiple guidelines and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.
Source
Lifestyle interventions for hypertension management in primary care: a narrative review
Byoungduck Han et al. · The Ewha Medical Journal · 2025
DOI 10.12771/emj.2025.00850
More from this paper
- Adherence to the DASH dietary pattern reduces systolic blood pressure by 1–13 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1–10 mm Hg, with effects amplified when combined with weight loss or sodium restriction.Strong
- Restricting daily sodium intake to approximately 2 grams (5 grams of salt) reduces systolic blood pressure by approximately 7 mm Hg in hypertensive individuals.Strong
- Isometric resistance training (e.g., handgrip) produces greater systolic blood pressure reductions (up to 8 mm Hg) than aerobic or dynamic resistance training.Good
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
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