Plus, vigorously exercising for 27 minutes a day may even reduce heart disease risk by 28%.
Blood pressure is the pressure the blood exerts on the walls of the arteries as it flows through them.
And arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body.
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How Was This Study Conducted & What Did They Find?
This study included almost 15,000 individuals, about half female, with an average age of 54.
All the individuals wore an accelerometer on their thighs for a full week, 24 hours a day.
(An accelerometer is like a fancy pedometer that tracks many types of movement beyond just steps.)
Vigorous exercise-like activities included things like running, cycling, stair climbing and walking up an incline.
Researchers also ran various statistical models to estimate the effect on blood pressure for different scenarios.
What Does This Mean?
Its the extra movement done in short bursts outside of formal exercise.
How these findings relate to you will depend on several factors, including your current fitness level.
How Does This Apply to Real Life?
The body has an amazing ability to adapt to its environment.
Its like learning a new language or other skill.
At first, its a struggle and you have to really think about it.
But over time, it becomes a habit and is no longer a challenge.
If youre a walker and use the same route, switch it up and add some hills.
Or add short bursts of running into your walk.
you might also incorporate these bursts into your daily routine.
Park at the far end of the parking lot and run to the store entrance.
Vacuum with vigor for an added burstand the bonus of getting it done more quickly.
But its important to remember that exercise isnt the only factor that influences blood pressure.
Diet matters, too.
And these are all factors that you have some control over.
Take the stairsand take them two at a time, or run up them.
Park farther from the store and jog to the entrance.
Break out in song and danceand encourage your family or co-workers to join you.
Get creative and look for ways to add short bursts of vigorous activity to your day.
You might inspire others to do the same.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Blood pressure facts.
