Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
People with normal resting blood pressures who develop
very high blood pressure during exercise are the ones most likely
to develop high blood pressure later on. These people have
arteries that do not expand as much as normal arteries when
blood is pumped to them. When your heart beats, it squeezes
blood from inside its chambers to the large arteries. This causes
normal arteries to expand like balloons. If the arteries do not
expand enough when blood enters them, blood pressure can rise
very high.
Normal blood pressure is 120 when the heart contracts
and 80 when it relaxes. During exercise, the heart beats with
increased force to raise blood pressure. It is normal for blood
pressure to rise up to 200 over 80 during running, and to 300
over 200 while doing a leg press with very heavy weights. If your
blood pressure rises much above 200 during running, you are at
increased risk for developing high blood pressure. You should
go on a heart attack prevention program that includes a diet low
in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates, regular exercise,
losing weight if you are overweight, not smoking, and avoiding
stimulants and drugs that raise blood pressure. Check with your
doctor. More
September 15, 2006