In healthy adults, blood pressure (BP) declines from the early morning to late afternoon. Exercise causes a further decrease in BP. However, people with hypertension may not experience this reduction because of an exaggerated rise in BP after exercise, known as post-exercise hypotension . In general, how can patients with high blood pressure stay safe while exercising?
The goal of hypertensive exercise precautions is to avoid acute cardiovascular events that may result from excessive BP elevations with exercise. A detailed activity history and physical exam are the best way to determine a patient’s risk for an adverse event with exercise. The specific recommendations vary according to a person’s age, health status, fitness level, and prior medical history.
Make Sure to Take Your Maintenance Medication
People with high blood pressure are already under regular medication maintenance. Physicians often prescribe either rosuvastatin or atorvastatin to hypertensive patients to manage their cholesterol level and, in return, control high blood pressure.
However, the debate of rosuvastatin vs atorvastatin still confuses patients and often fears that the type of pill they are taking is insufficient. This fear is valid, especially if you are new to this condition and are still testing the waters. This fear is valid, especially if you are new to this condition and are still testing the waters.
Although it has an excellent long-term effect, exercising can impact a person’s blood pressure, which is referred to as exercise-induced hypertension. It is why you should talk to your physician before you undergo an exercise. Ask your doctor if the medicine prescribed to you is enough to keep your blood pressure at bay during exercising.
You might also want to acquire a BuzzRX rx discount savings card to ensure that you can purchase your entire prescription without worrying about paying a huge amount of money. This way you can also make sure that you do take your maintenance medication regularly without skipping a pill.
Do Light Exercise Routines
If you have already been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you should be cautious in choosing an exercise routine. Make sure that it is only light to moderate to avoid putting yourself at risk.
You can do a 10-minute brisk to moderate walk three times a day, every day, or 30 minutes of biking or stationary cycling. Hiking and swimming can also be an excellent choice of cardiovascular exercise for patients with hypertension.
Not only will it make you active, but you will also enjoy the activity and not feel like you are obligated to exercise. You can do it with your family for additional support. Hiking and swimming is not only an exercise. It is also an excellent recreational activity you can do to protect your mental health and overall wellness.
If you feel like weight lifting is your thing, you can still do it in moderation. However, weight lifting is one of the exercise routines that causes a sudden but temporary rise in your high blood pressure. So, you better watch out if you choose to do this.
Have Someone on Standby
It is best to have someone on standby while you are exercising. You can ask a family member or a friend to be on the lookout while you exercise in case of an emergency. Many people passed out while exercising not only because of elevated blood pressure but also the lack of oxygen traveling to the brain.
If you start this journey, you should exercise while someone is watching over you. It is also advised to hire a personal exercise trainer to have someone on standby and help you do the right thing.
A trainer is knowledgeable enough to provide you with a safe routine for you according to your medical history. While they still make sure that the routine will effectively lower or control your hypertension.
Exercise with a Buddy
Another great way to ensure your safety during exercising is to have an exercise buddy. Not only can you have someone that can watch over you, but having a buddy will also boost your motivation.
Ask a family or friend to start exercising with you, whether in the gym, at home or even in a public swimming pool or park.
Having someone with you along your journey would be a great help to ensure that you are safe during this strenuous activity. You should also disclose your condition to your buddy or your trainer. This way, they can help you when you feel weak or dizzy during a routine.
Let your buddy familiarize your medications, especially those for emergency ones. That way, they know what medication to administer in case of an emergency.
Schedule a Regular Checkup with Your Physician
Having a regular checkup can significantly impact the betterment of your condition. It is a great way to monitor your situation and ask questions to your doctor. You can talk about this new journey and seek safety advice from a professional standpoint.
Disclose any bad experience you had during your exercise, such as fainting, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, feeling weak, and difficulty breathing. This information will help your physician to analyze your situation further.
It will also help your physician provide an exercise guideline according to his findings to keep you safe and avoid any bad exercising experience in the future. You can share the guidelines provided by your doctor with your trainer or exercise buddy and follow it religiously.
Watch Out for Your Safety
Exercising is highly advised, especially if you are already diagnosed with high blood pressure or high cholesterol level. However, it would be best to be cautious about your safety during exercising. Remember, you are not as healthy as you were before. You can be vulnerable and at-risk anytime, so always watch out for your safety without compromising your exercise.
