Athletic Lab

[This is a guest blog by one of our Athletic Interns, Matthew Jessee, an Exercise Science student from Appalachian State University]

According to the Center for Disease Control 1 out of every 3 Americans suffers from
hypertension. Healthy blood pressure levels are less than 120mmHg systolic/ 80mmHg
diastolic. Hypertension is a chronic elevated blood pressure in the arteries. Arteries are
important because they supply blood from the heart to different areas of the body so it can
maintain vital functions necessary for good health. This process becomes less efficient in
those suffering from hypertension. The heart winds up having to work harder to get blood to
the working systems of the body. Chronic high blood pressure can lead to an enlarged heart,
aneurysms, vision problems, and even heart attacks.

There are medications that treat high blood pressure. Like other medications they can be
very expensive, and a pain to take. Exercise is another way to treat hypertension. Acute
physical activity has been shown to reduce blood pressures immediately after, and for a
prolonged period following exercise. This phenomenon is known as post-exercise hypotension;
hypotension meaning low arterial blood pressure. During exercise the nervous system is
responsible for contracting and dilating blood vessels in order to direct blood flow to the
working muscles. After activity, the arteries stay dilated which allows the blood to flow easier.
This doesn’t require the heart to work as hard during this time. Long term exercise can help
to permanently reduce blood pressure. As you become more trained the body becomes more
efficient in these cardiovascular processes. In the end, regular physical activity is an inexpensive
way to treat the causes of hypertension rather than just the symptoms.