The Single Best Exercise For Lowering Resting Blood Pressure

Researchers from Canterbury Christ Church University and Leicester University conducted a comprehensive review of 270 clinical trials involving nearly 16,000 participants. The study compared different types of exercise programs to determine their effectiveness in lowering blood pressure.

The exercise types included:

- Aerobic exercise (e.g., cycling, walking, jogging)

- Dynamic resistance training (e.g., weight lifting)

- Combined training (aerobic and weights)

- High-intensity interval training (HIIT)

- Isometric exercises (e.g., wall squats and planks)

The findings revealed that all these forms of exercise effectively reduced blood pressure, but isometric exercises emerged as the most effective. Specifically, wall squats and planks showed the greatest reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/20/1317

Additional Lifestyle Changes:

While exercise is a critical component of managing high blood pressure, it should be complemented with other lifestyle changes. These include maintaining a healthy diet, reducing salt intake, avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption, and managing weight. Medications prescribed by healthcare providers should also be taken as directed to ensure comprehensive management of blood pressure