Walking to Lower Blood Pressure: An Accessible Workout

For individuals who are looking to lower blood pressure, can walking help?

Walking To Lower Blood Pressure

A walking regimen is an accessible workout that can be done almost anywhere at no cost, effectively lowering blood pressure and improving overall health. Studies show that individuals who use walking as a workout for three months have improved systolic blood pressure, which is the top number that measures the pressure in the arteries as the heart beats. (McMullan S., Nguyen C., & Smith D. K. 2022)

How It Works

Walking is an excellent way to get active. It can be done almost anywhere, including on a treadmill, outdoors, or around the house. Exercising lowers blood pressure by strengthening the heart, leading to the heart pumping blood more effectively when it is stronger. This causes less resistance to the blood vessels, which lowers overall blood pressure. (Hegde S. M., & Solomon S. D. 2015) The benefits of walking include: (American Heart Association, 2024)

• Weight loss and management
• Lowers stress
• Improves mental health by reducing anxiety.
• Improves sleep quality
• Improves cognition
• Strengthens the heart
• Promotes bone health and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

Knowing When to Take A Blood Pressure Reading

Various factors can affect blood pressure readings and can include:

• Nervousness
• Eating a meal
• Drinking caffeine
• Exercise can affect blood pressure readings.

Knowing how and when to take a blood pressure reading after walking can help prevent false elevated numbers. According to the CDC, individuals should wait at least 30 minutes after exercise before taking a reading (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). Exercise and walking have been shown to cause an immediate reduction in systolic blood pressure. This is known as post-exercise hypotension and is normal. The reduction lasts around 24 hours after exercising and is more noticeable in those with high blood pressure. Consistent exercise and walking will cause a longer, more sustained blood pressure reduction. (Hegde S. M., & Solomon S. D. 2015)

Taking Blood Pressure at Home

Correctly taking blood pressure can help improve accuracy and reduce inaccurate readings. To do: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024)

• It is recommended not to talk while the blood pressure is being taken.
• Apply the blood pressure cuff snugly around the arm.
• Place your arm on a table, level with your heart.
• Sit in a chair, keep your feet flat on the floor, and do not cross your legs or lean back on the chair.
• It is recommended not to eat or drink 30 minutes before and to have an empty bladder.

Pace and Intensity

A study found that walking three to five times weekly for 20 to 40 minutes at a moderate pace for three months can lower systolic blood pressure. However, various groups determined BP rates differently by measuring heart rate, VO2 max/the maximum volume of oxygen you can use simultaneously, and walking speed. (McMullan S., Nguyen C., & Smith D. K. 2022)

Increasing Workout Intensity

Individuals with hypertension who walk may want to increase workout intensity to challenge themselves for added fitness. This can include:

• Walk faster
• Use intervals – walk as fast as you can for a minute or two at a time.
• Add inclines
• Use ankle or wrist weights or a weighted vest.
• Walking with someone to challenge each other to push a little harder.
• Try other places to walk.

Always talk to a healthcare provider if you are starting a walking workout for the first time, want to increase walking intensity, and take medications prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Hypertensive Crisis

A hypertensive crisis is when a person’s blood pressure is extremely high, can cause life-threatening conditions like stroke, and is a medical emergency. It is a blood pressure of 180/120 mm Hg or higher. (American Heart Association, 2024) If you get a blood pressure reading of 180/120 mm Hg or higher at home, wait five minutes and take another reading. If the blood pressure is still high, immediately contact a healthcare provider. (American Heart Association, 2024) If the individual is experiencing the below symptoms, call 911 (American Heart Association, 2024)

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Vision changes
• Difficulty speaking
• Weakness
• Numbness
• Back pain

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to build optimal health and wellness solutions. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, prevent injury, and help mitigate issues through adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal problems.

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Hypertension Explained

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References

McMullan, S., Nguyen, C., & Smith, D. K. (2022). Can Walking Lower Blood Pressure in Patients With Hypertension?. American family physician, 105(1), 22–23.

Hegde, S. M., & Solomon, S. D. (2015). Influence of Physical Activity on Hypertension and Cardiac Structure and Function. Current hypertension reports, 17(10), 77. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-015-0588-3

American Heart Association. (2024). Getting active to control high blood pressure. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/getting-active-to-control-high-blood-pressure

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Measure your blood pressure. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/measure/

American Heart Association. (2024). Understanding blood pressure readings. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings

American Heart Association. Association, A. H. (2024). When to call 911 about high blood pressure. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/hypertensive-crisis-when-you-should-call-911-for-high-blood-pressure