A recent study reported that a thirty-minute walk in the morning could potentially be as effective at lowering blood pressure than medication. The study was published in the journal, Hypertension.
A thirty-minute morning walk could potentially be as effective at lowering blood pressure than medication
The research was conducted at the University of Western Australia and found that participants who walked on a treadmill in the morning had improved blood pressure readings during the remainder of the day. The researchers stated that for some people this could be the difference between needing and not needing medication.
It is estimated that roughly one-third of the adult population in the U.K. have high blood pressure
Currently, it is estimated that roughly one-third of the adult population in the United Kingdom have high blood pressure. These numbers are higher for the United States, and slightly lower in Canada, where only about a quarter of the population is suspected to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is defined as having a blood pressure reading of above 140/90mmHg. The conventional method of treatment is with pharmaceutical medication.
Study looked at 67 overweight men and women between the ages of 55 and 80
The study looked at 67 overweight men and women who were between the ages of 55 and 80. The participants engaged in one of three different daily routines. The first routine involved sitting around for a continuous eight hours. The second involved sitting for one hour before walking thirty minutes at moderate intensity then sitting for the remaining 6.5 hours. The third routine had participants sit for one hour before walking on a the treadmill for thirty minutes, but instead of sitting continuously for the next 6.5 hours, their day was broken up every 30 minutes by a 3 minute duration of light walking.
Results of the study
The results of the study showed that the walking groups showed significantly lower blood pressure throughout the day compared to the sitting only group. The magnitude of change was similar to what would be expected with medication.
Half-an-hour of morning exercise also good for mental health
Commenting on the study, the British Heart Foundation added that half-an-hour of morning exercise is also good for people’s mental health.
Cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, Chris Allen, says the findings add to a huge body of evidence showing that regular exercise can help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes: “It can also give both your body and mind a boost, which is why 30 minutes of activity in the morning is a great way to set yourself up for the day.”
‘The proportion of those who are overweight with higher blood pressure increases with age’
“As the proportion of those who are overweight with higher blood pressure increases with age, adopting a strategy of combining exercise with breaks in sitting may be important to control and prevent the development of high blood pressure, “said Professor Michael Wheeler, Lead Author
Razi Berry is the founder and publisher of the journal Naturopathic Doctor News & Review that has been in print since 2005 and the premier consumer-faced website of naturopathic medicine, NaturalPath. She is the host of The Natural Cancer Prevention Summit and The Heart Revolution-Heal, Empower and Follow Your Heart, and the popular 10 week Sugar Free Summer program. From a near death experience as a young girl that healed her failing heart, to later overcoming infertility and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia through naturopathic medicine, Razi has lived the mind/body healing paradigm. Her projects uniquely capture the tradition and philosophy of naturopathy: The healing power of nature, the vital life force in every living thing and the undeniable role that science and mind/body medicine have in creating health and overcoming dis-ease. Follow Razi on Facebook at Razi Berry and join us at Love is Medicine to explore the convergence of love and health.