If excersize increases heart rate, why is high blood pressure not good, are they different?
During exercise, both heart rate and blood pressure rises in a steady fashion with progressive exercise. But on the long term, the resting blood pressure and heart rate becomes lower in persons tuned to regular exercise. This is due to the adaptation of the autonomic nervous system. Their heart rate and blood pressure response to a given level of exercise will also come down as they get progressively trained. In those with high blood pressure at rest, it increases still further with exercise and disproportionately causing target organ dysfunction. So it is necessary to control high blood pressure before starting an exercise program. This does not apply to a gradual exercise program in those with mildly elevated blood pressure, who are otherwise fit.
