Aerobic exercise and hypertension:
The recommendations of The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) includes exercise at least 30 min daily (49). For more information, please see the aerobic exercise section in Preventive Health Advisor. Preventive Health Advisor recommends a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program for all ages, but patients should seek approval by the primary physician prior to starting an exercise program. Aerobic exercise generally consists of mild to moderate intensity activity with rhythmic contraction of major muscle groups over an extended period of time. Examples include fast walking, jogging, cycling, Zumba, cross country skiing, and swimming. For the physician or fitness professional, the following source is the most credible reference for initiation of exercise in patients: Walter R. Thompson, American College of Sports Medicine, Neil F. Gordon, Linda S. Pescatello. ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Feb 1, 2009. (10)