Regular aerobic exercise has a variety of effects that protect against heart disease and diseases of the
blood vessel
s, including high BP
. On ave
rage, exercise reduces
blood pressure by about 6
–
7
mm
Hg.
Scientific studies with large numbers of volunteers have s
hown that, if systolic BP is reduced by 5
mm
Hg,
deaths from strokes decrease by 14% and deaths from coronary heart disease (i
.
e
.
blocking of
the blood
vessels that supply the heart) decrease by 9%. These results emphasise why lifestyle changes, including
regular exercise, are important first steps in preventing and treating hypertension.