High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a silent killer affecting millions worldwide. While it’s well-known that exercise can help manage blood pressure, recent research delves deeper into the specifics.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine tracked over 5,100 adults across four U.S. cities for three decades, examining their exercise habits and blood pressure readings.
The findings suggest that maintaining higher levels of physical activity during young adulthood—specifically, engaging in at least five hours of moderate exercise per week, which is double the current minimum recommendation—can significantly reduce the risk of developing hypertension in middle age.
This protective effect is even more pronounced when individuals continue these exercise habits into their 60s. However, the study also highlights challenges, noting that physical activity levels tend to decline as young adults transition into midlife due to increasing responsibilities and time constraints.
This underscores the importance of establishing and maintaining regular exercise routines early in life to safeguard cardiovascular health in later years.
