Is blood pressure lower after exercise?
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted on blood vessels by the pumping of blood from the heart. While there are no immediate blood-pressure benefits from exercise, over time regular exercise can help lower or maintain pressure levels.The FactsBlood pressure results combine two readings: the pressure produced during active contraction of the heart (systolic pressure) and the pressure produced between heartbeats (diastolic pressure), reports the American Heart Association (AHA). Systolic readings appear on the top of a blood pressure reading, while diastolic readings appear on the bottom.Regular ExerciseIt takes roughly one to three months for regular exercise to produce lower blood-pressure levels, according to the Mayo Clinic. Blood pressure improvements last only as long as exercise continues.Degree of BenefitThe Mayo Clinic notes that regular exercise can lower systolic blood pressure by roughly 5mm to 10mm of mercury (mm Hg).