6 exercises to avoid when high blood pressure

Hypertension occurs when the pressure of blood against the walls of your arteries is too high. This causes the heart to work harder, which can lead to serious health problems over time such as heart disease and stroke.

Besides maintaining a healthy diet, low in salt, lots of fruits and vegetables, and cutting down on red meat, people with high blood pressure need to exercise regularly. Staying active helps control your index better, but not all exercises are safe for people with high blood pressure.

Lift heavy weights

Lifting heavy weights can cause blood pressure to suddenly increase. When lifting an object that is too heavy, the body naturally holds its breath, temporarily restricting blood flow, leading to increased pressure, which can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure. If you want to incorporate weightlifting into your daily workout routine, choose lighter weights to ensure safety.

Muscle tightening exercises

Isometrics are static exercises that train a specific muscle group such as planks, squats or wall sit-ups. They work to build muscle strength but can cause muscles to be constantly stressed, thereby leading to a significant increase in blood pressure during exercise. This is because prolonged muscle contractions can force the heart to work harder, leading to increased blood pressure on the vessel walls.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT)

HIIT workouts consist of short bursts of activity alternating between high intensity and rest. Although this type of exercise is known for its cardiovascular benefits, too much intensity can cause blood pressure to spike during exercise. Even for patients with a sedentary lifestyle and unfamiliarity with HIIT exercises, it can significantly increase the risk of sudden cardiac death or acute myocardial infarction.

Sprint

Like HIIT, sprinting places high and sudden physical demands on the cardiovascular system. During sprinting, heart rate skyrockets, followed by high blood pressure levels. For people with high blood pressure, this can increase the risk of heart complications.

Handstand yoga pose

This inverted position increases blood flow to the head and can increase blood pressure. In addition to this position, people with high blood pressure should avoid placing their head lower than their heart for long periods of time.

Jumping exercise

This is an exercise that involves quick movements and changes in direction such as standing up and sitting down. They can cause sudden fluctuations in blood pressure. At this time, the heart continuously adjusts to changing needs, which can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults should exercise at a moderate intensity for about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. However, if you have high blood pressure or heart disease, you should consult your doctor before starting any new exercise routine. Moderate, steady activities such as walking, cycling, swimming or yoga may be helpful.