Exercise can help lower blood pressure in people with both conditions. However, the effects of exercise on blood pressure take between one and three months to see significant changes. Also, the effects of exercise only last as long as the person continues to engage in the activity. However, for people with diabetes, regular exercise may help lower blood sugar levels and improve blood pressure. Listed below are some exercises that can be beneficial to people with both conditions.
Resistance training is not the right exercise for everyone with diabetes. The reason is that resistance training can raise blood pressure while it is being performed. Fortunately, resistance training has other benefits, including improving overall heart health and weight loss. So, don’t shy away from resistance training because of your high blood pressure. Instead, you can mix it up with some aerobic exercise. You can start small by doing five minutes of brisk walking or jogging each day. You can also consider taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking farther away at stores.
The most common type of high blood pressure is systolic (120 mm Hg), which represents the highest pressure exerted by the heart, while diastolic (80 mm Hg) refers to the lower pressure exerted by the arteries. Diastolic pressure, on the other hand, is lower, and is the type of pressure maintained by the arteries when the heart is not pumping blood. The American Heart Association recommends checking blood pressure every two years in people over the age of twenty. Having diabetes, however, requires more frequent monitoring to prevent cardiovascular complications.
