Is it safe to exercise with high blood pressure?
Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS
For most people, not only safe but one of the treatments: regular activity lowers resting pressure by 5 to 8 points over weeks, comparable to a starting dose of medicine.
Sensible rules: build up gradually, breathe through every repetition rather than straining against a held breath, and skip exercise on days a reading is very high, above about 180/110, until reviewed.
Walking, cycling and swimming are the easiest wins. If your pressure is untreated and consistently high, see your doctor first, then start.
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