Hypertension

Exercise Guidelines

* Obtain physician clearance before commencing an exercise program.

* Avoid holding breath and straining during exercise.

* It may be wise to record blood pressure prior to and after exercise.

* Move slowly when making the transition from the floor position to a standing position.

* Program needs to modified if other conditions are present (e.g. diabetes).

* Resistance training should be used as a supplement to endurance training.

* Avoid exercises that place head below shoulders (e.g. decline bench press) and exercises where free weights are lifted above the head (e.g. military press).

* Be aware that certain blood pressure medications can alter heart rate response to exercise.

Nutrition Guidelines

* It is wise to follow the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertenstion) diet. This diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. The combination of vitamins and minerals appears to exert beneficial affects on blood pressure.

* A high-salt diet should be discouraged. Avoid foods with high salt levels such as canned soups and avoid adding salt to foods.

* Beneficial fats (mono and polyunsaturated) appear to help control blood pressure. These can be found in fatty fish (e.g. salmon), nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, avocado.

* If hypertension is associated with being overweight it is highly recommended that processed, high-fat foods be avoided (e.g. French fries, donuts, muffins).