Can I exercise if I have high blood pressure?
Regular activity supports blood pressure control and heart health and is often suitable for people with hypertension. Build up gradually; seek an individual plan if pressure is uncontrolled or you have symptoms or heart disease.
Details
Choosing a starting activity
Walking, cycling and swimming can be adapted to ability. A general adult goal is about 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week, spread over several days. Shorter sessions can be a starting point, with gradual increases; the full goal is not a first-day requirement.
Resistance work and breathing
Resistance exercise may form part of the plan, but load and breathing technique matter. Avoid breath-holding and sudden strenuous effort, especially with uncontrolled pressure. Warming up and cooling down allow a gradual transition between rest and activity.
When to stop
Stop and seek help for chest pain, marked dizziness or unusual breathlessness. Do not attempt to treat a severely elevated reading with an immediate workout. Becoming active is not a reason to discontinue prescribed blood pressure medicine.
Related reading: When and how often should I check blood pressure?.