Two exercise types help reduce blood pressure in those with hypertension

High blood pressure, or hypertension , is a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases , such as stroke , heart attack , and heart failure . Research suggests that nearly half of U.S.

adults have hypertension, with many unaware they have high blood pressure. Although exercise has long been recommended as part of hypertension treatment, most studies have focused on aerobic exercise , highlighting it as the most consistent method for reducing 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) describes a 24-hour, continuous, automated recording of a person’s blood pressure during daily activities and sleep. Unlike blood pressure readings taken during a doctor’s appointment, ABPM measures fluctuations throughout daily life and during sleep.

As such, many healthcare professionals consider it the ‘ gold standard ‘ for diagnosing hypertension.