Healthcare professionals have long recommended aerobic exercise for lowering hypertension, but researchers at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada recently discovered that stretching may offer similar benefits. The researchers recruited 40 men and women with either “high-normal” blood pressure (130/85 - 139/89) or “stage I hypertension” (140/90 - 159/99). The average age among participants was 61. The groups exercised five days a week for eight weeks, and the researchers recorded each person’s pre and post study BP. Half of the participants completed 30 minutes of brisk walking, and half completed a series of 21 stretches for 30 minutes with 15 second breaks between each stretch. At the end of the 8 weeks, researchers found the stretching group had achieved a greater overall reduction in blood pressure than the walking group. This led them to conclude that stretching relaxes “tight” blood vessels as well as tight muscles, making it an even better addition to exercise routines than previously thought. Beyond its BP benefits, stretching lowers your chances of injuries, is gentle on your joints, can be done inside or outside, and is busy-schedule friendly.
If you’re living with high blood pressure, you’re not alone! The CDC estimates that 45% of all American adults have high blood pressure. Many people are prescribed medication to lower their blood pressure. Because some BP medications have been linked to heart disease and stroke, it’s important to know that there are a variety of natural supplements available to you as well. We regularly recommend our patients take Vasotensin, Red Yeast Rice, and Magnesium supplements to support healthy blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure and are already taking BP medication, we recommend adding Magnesium Glycinate and Coenzyme Q10 supplements to your medication
routine to support a healthy heart. You can read more about our supplements here: https://www.eohinfo.com/store. Choosing the right supplement and dosage is especially important where blood pressure is concerned, so it’s best to contact us directly to help with the ordering process.
Best,
Dr. Jones
Kingsland, James. 2021. Is stretching better than walking for reducing blood pressure? Medical News Today.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/is-stretching-better-than-walking-f or-reducing-blood-pressure#Additional-option
Leroux, Chad. 2021. University of Saskatchewan study shows stretching may reduce blood pressure more than a brisk walk. CTV News.
https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/university-of-sask-study-shows-stretching-may-h elp-reduce-blood-pressure-more-than-a-brisk-walk-1.5268948
Unknown Author. 2021. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptom s-causes/syc-20373410#:~:text=High%20blood%20pressure%20can%20caus e,it%20can%20be%20life%2Dthreatening.
Unknown Author. 2019. Exercise: A drug-free approach to lowering high blood pressure. Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/ high-blood-pressure/art-20045206