Is it possible for two weeks of exercise to lower blood pressure?

Question

49 yo male, six feet tall and 250 pounds. Have led pretty much a couch potatoe lifestyle the last five years (work related, lots of sitting, not much if any exercise). My blood pressure the last two years has been 150 over 100 (average). Can't afford a doc, no insurance. So don't go there. Last two weeks I started playing golf, usually walk 3 hours or 3 miles on the course in hot 90 degree weather. Also started eating oatmeal regularly last two weeks, and a better selection of foods. Also cut out all my caffiene...no coffee. Before, was drinking about 6 cups a day. Yeah, was headed for a heart attack. May still be. Question, with that info, all of a sudden my blood pressure is sitting at an average 120/80 with a pulse of 70....is it possible that in two weeks of no caffiene, lots of exercise and 8 hours sleep instead of 5-6 that my blood pressure would drop this much? Or are these false readings that won't hold up going forward?

Answer 1

A change in your lifestyle can definitely affect your blood pressure. This degree of change in blood pressure is quite unexpected. In my experience, lifestyle modification changes blood pressure only by about 10-15%. However, there are unusual cases. (I know someone who had a cholesterol way over 300, who got it down below 200 just by changing his diet. But before he changed his diet, he was eating two dozen eggs per day.)

I guess my question to you would be how much coffee were you drinking? If it was just one cup, then that would not explain this degree of change. If it was a pot of coffee or two, then this is probably the most significant change you have made. Or perhaps you have significantly reduced your stress level recently? Perhaps that is the key. If so, the change may be dependant on whether that stress tends to be recurrent in your life.

But how are you getting your blood pressure readings if you are not seeing a doctor? Perhaps the first readings were not accurate? Blood pressure readings are affected by how and when you take them. Sitting with your legs crossed increases the reading. Sitting in a chair with no back increases the reading. Not having your arm resting on a table or arm of a chair can increase the reading. Taking your blood pressure when you need to pee can increase the reading. As you can see, many things can increase your readings artificially.

If you are using a home blood pressure monitoring device, it might be worth getting the pressure double checked at least once by taking it at one of those blood pressure machines they have at many pharmacies. If it registers the same, I would say the change is probably real. I do think that it would still be advisable to continue to exercise regularly and eat right regardless. This is a heart healthy lifestyle that will definitely pay off in the end.

Answer 2

You should read "The Blood Pressure Solution" (also available in electronic format, watch the video presentation here: http://www.fixbloodpressure.com ) It's a very comprehensive step-by-step book that walks you through the natural remedies of high blood pressure. It provides you with a lot of information on what foods to eat, how you can acquire and prepare these foods, how you can change your lifestyle for the better, how to eliminate the toxins from your body, how to reduce stress, how you can check your blood pressure level the correct way etc.

The book is amazing in that it not only lowers your blood pressure without the help of medications; it also aids you in having a life that is healthy, happier, and less stressful. This book chanced my life.

Answer 3

3 years ago, I was diagnosed - hypertension with a reading of 160/100. I used to feel dizzy a lot, my legs had awful cramps, and levels were very low in my potassium, causing my fingers and toes to always cramp together. One day I started to feel really faint while I was driving with my daughter in the back seat and I passed out, hitting 3 cars and ending up in a ditch. That moment,I knew I had to do something because my meds weren't working. I heard about this diet from a friend and thought I'd give it a shot. The results have been remarkable. In just 21 days, I honestly can't remember feeling this good, my blood pressure went from 175/110 to 125/70.

Answer 4

Changing lifestyle can have a significant effect on blood pressure. Sleep is a huge factor for high BP. A very inexpensive way to maintain normal BP is to add garlic to your daily diet and drink a ton of water. Low carb eating habits will also decrease high BP.
Keep up the good work!

Answer 5

You should eat as little red meat as possible especially if you have high blood pressure, as they both contribute to heart disease. Bananas are full of potassium so will lower blood pressure.

Answer 6

Please continue doing what you are doing, but not in a "hardcore" way. You are on the right way to a healthy living. Add veggies to your diet with a nice yoghurt-dip instead of snacks while you watch Tv or read a book. I dropped a lot of weight by cutting out sugar, no alcohol, exercise (began slowly) and 5 little snack-meals, no huge meals. And lots of lots veggies and fruits. Which you all the best to get away from the risk of having a heart-attack

Answer 7

Stopping the coffee would be a big plus. Also, be careful since when people suddenly embark on rigorous changes in exercise level when they have high BP and not on BP medicine is when they have a heart attack. The good news is your numbers are headed the right direction.

Answer 8

Let readings be right or wrong you are going right way.
You are overweight. So avoid all sorts of junk foods, spicy, fatty and carbohydrate rich foods.
Avoid all sorts of cold and hot drinks.
Enjoy sprouts and salads throughout your life.

Answer 9

What you have achieved comes as no suprise to me. Congrats for helping your self out without swallowing a tonne of pills! It will be sustainable if you can continue doing what you are doing. Simple. And if you want to do even more you can read through these, good luck!

http://www.coolestebooks.com/products2.html
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/treat/treat.htm
http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/110288218598521%20HowCanIReduce%20HBP.pdf
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/

Answer 10

It will help. Every little bit helps, keep it up for and add more time to it.