High blood pressure is a heart disorder affecting 24% of the American population. It is estimated that two-thirds will have this disorder as they age. A patient that presents with hypertension will usually be prescribed one or more medications to manage this disease, but these medications can be expensive and may cause other health problems. Aerobic exercise, like the type of workout you can get on an elliptical trainer, can be an effective way to lower blood pressure to normal levels.
Hypertension is defined as resting and systolic/diastolic greater than 140/90. This health problem can cause a number of serious health problems when allowed to stay at high levels over a long period of time. The heart may increase in size, which may cause heart failure. Those with hypertension are at a higher risk of stroke and heart attack because this condition can lead to hardening of the arteries. The kidneys can be adversely affected and may even fail due to the narrowing of the blood vessels inside the kidneys.
So what kind of exercise is effective for normalizing blood pressure? In general, to achieve maximum benefits, you should gradually work up to an aerobic session lasting at least 30 to 45 minutes, at least four to five times a week. Exercising at least every other day will help you keep a regular aerobic exercise schedule. The exercise should be moderately intense, but be careful to gradually build up to this type of exercise routine if you have been inactive for the last few years. Most of the reductions in blood pressure for those with hypertension happen within the first few weeks of starting an aerobic exercise program.
An elliptical trainer is a effective fitness machine if you want to design an exercise program to maintain healthy blood pressure. It is a versatile exercise machine that allows you to tailor an exercise program to your fitness level. You can vary the strides per minute, resistance, and incline to gradually increase the intensity of your routine as your fitness improves. This is a low impact exercise that is easy on the joints, so even those with mild joint pain may be able to use an elliptical trainer to address their high blood pressure without the use of medications.
High blood pressure is a major health condition that affects almost a quarter of the American population. This condition can cause serious health problems such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure, which is why doctors are so anxious to prescribe medications to manage this condition. Regular aerobic exercise can be an effective way to lower and keep blood pressure at healthy levels without medications. A new or refurbished elliptical trainer is a versatile fitness machine that will allow the user to design an aerobic exercise routine to fit their individual needs.