Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIncreased BPDecreased BPLong-Term ControlExercise Tips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Increased BP
Decreased BP
Long-Term Control
Exercise Tips
Blood pressure after exercise can increase and sometimes even decrease from the optimal 120 over 80 mm Hg. This is perfectly normal and usually nothing to worry about.
What’s important is how fast your blood pressure returns to its normal resting level after physically exerting yourself. Longer recovery times can be linked to worse cardiovascular health. In some cases, it may even be a sign of a serious health concern likehypertension(high blood pressure) or heart disease, especially if it happens in younger people.
This article explains why your blood pressure goes up (or down) after you exercise, including what is normal and abnormal. It also offers exercise tips to help control blood pressure.
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High Blood Pressure After Exercise
Physical activity increases blood pressure. This is a natural response to your muscles' demand for more oxygen-rich blood.To do so, your heart has to pump faster and harder, pushing a larger volume of blood through a fixed network of blood vessels.
Because arteries cannot expand very much to accommodate the extra blood flow, the pressure will temporarily increase beyond your normal resting blood pressure. For a healthy adult, this is asystolic(upper) pressure of 120 mm Hg or below and adiastolic(lower) pressure of 80 mm Hg or below.
Even physically fit people or people will experience a temporary (transient) increase with exercise.
What’s more important than the rise itself is:
Problems arise when your blood pressure rises too much and/or takes too long to recover.
Rate of Increase
An abnormal response to exercise is defined as an increase of 60 mm Hg in assigned males and 50 mm Hg in assigned females over the baseline systolic pressure. This is true even if your blood pressure is currently normal.
This much of an increase may suggest a future risk of hypertension or a possible problem with theleft ventricleof your heart—the chamber that pumps blood to the rest of your body.
Level of Increase
Speed of Recovery
Recovery times can vary depending on your age, cardiovascular fitness, and how hard you work out. Recovery might only take 30 minutes for an elite athlete but, for most people, recovery can take anywhere from two to three hours.
However, if your blood pressure stays high for several hours after you exercise—over 210 mm Hg in assigned males or over 190 mm Hg in assigned females—you could have exercise-induced hypertension (EIH). This is another sign of future hypertension or heart disease.
Measuring Blood Pressure After ExerciseWait at least 30 minutes after exercising to take your blood pressure. Sit and rest for at least five minutes before you measure. This will help you get a more accurate reading.
Measuring Blood Pressure After Exercise
Wait at least 30 minutes after exercising to take your blood pressure. Sit and rest for at least five minutes before you measure. This will help you get a more accurate reading.
When and How to Take Your Blood Pressure
Low Blood Pressure After Exercise
Some people may experience a transient drop in blood pressure after a workout. This is referred to as post-exertional or post-exercisehypotension(PEH). The drop can sometimes be large enough to cause fainting.
With PEH, blood can pool in the lower legs rather than return to the heart. The reduced blood flow decreases the overall blood pressure, causing lightheadedness or dizziness as the brain is temporarily deprived of blood. Episodes can last for minutes or several hours.
In most cases, PEH is not a cause for concern. Some studies, in fact, show that PEH is associated with a reduced risk of hypertension and heart disease.
With that said, exercise-related fainting episodes should never be considered normal and may be a sign of an undetected heart condition like an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or disease of the heart valves (aortic stenosis).Talk to your healthcare provider if you have prolonged dizziness or frequent fainting spells during or after exercise.
Causes of Hypotension and How to Treat It
Long-Term Blood Pressure Control
Regular physical activity is an important part of long-term blood pressure control. Exercise conditions the heart and improves the health of blood vessels to help prevent disease.
A number of studies suggest thataerobic exercisealso can help to lower blood pressure in people who already have hypertension and takemedicationfor it.
Exercise can help you to:
Keep in mind that any underlying medical conditions, including high blood pressure, can affect the kind of exercise program you need. Talk to your healthcare provider before you begin or ramp up your physical activity, especially if you have a heart condition.
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Exercise Tips for Blood Pressure Control
Exercise is good for you whether you have hypertension, hypotension, or normal blood pressure. The goals are the same, but there may be some precautions you need to take if you frequently have PEH.
General Guidelines
According to the American Heart Association, healthy people should get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week—that’s 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Doing so cannot only help you if you have hypertension but can also reduce your risk of hypertension if you don’t.
Examples of moderate-intensity forms of exercise include:
Choose exercises you enjoy, whether that’s a Pilates class with an exercise partner or walking your dog. You can incorporate exercise into your daily life without costly equipment or a gym membership. Taking the stairs at work or getting outside to walk in the park may be all you need.
When you begin your exercise program, remember to warm up before and cool down after your activities. Don’t forget to breathe—holding your breath can further raise your blood pressure.
If You Have Low Blood Pressure
If you have hypotension, you can practice almost every form of workout and physical activity. However, you must avoid overdoing it and should take some precautions to reduce your PEH.
Here are some tips for exercising if you have low blood pressure:
Talk to Your Healthcare ProviderYour healthcare provider can help you determine target blood pressure,heart rate ranges, and specific exercises to achieve these goals. Don’t be discouraged if you start slowly. As you condition your cardiovascular system, you will be able to engage in more strenuous activities without raising your blood pressure to a risky range.
Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Your healthcare provider can help you determine target blood pressure,heart rate ranges, and specific exercises to achieve these goals. Don’t be discouraged if you start slowly. As you condition your cardiovascular system, you will be able to engage in more strenuous activities without raising your blood pressure to a risky range.
If You Have High Blood Pressure
Always talk to your provider before starting or modifying your physical activity routine. While it can be safe and beneficial to exercise if you have high blood pressure, your provider might want to discuss the safest way to work out and get the benefits of physical activity.
Here are some general tips to keep in mind for exercising with high blood pressure:
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Summary
Your blood pressure typically rises during and after exercise, but then returns to normal. While exercise is key to achieving your health and fitness goals, make sure you’re not putting yourself at risk with blood pressure changes that are too high or low.
Share your exercise plans with your healthcare provider and start off with a regimen that is safe for you and meets your individual goals. Don’t get discouraged—remember consistency creates the best results. Create a manageable routine, pace yourself, and keep going.
A Word From VerywellA substantial increase in blood pressure during exercise is completely normal. Unless you have symptoms during or immediately after exercising (such as lightheadedness or dizziness), or if your blood pressure remains substantially elevated for more than 30-60 minutes after you exercise, there is generally no need to be concerned about blood pressure elevations with exercise.—RICHARD N. FOGOROS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
A substantial increase in blood pressure during exercise is completely normal. Unless you have symptoms during or immediately after exercising (such as lightheadedness or dizziness), or if your blood pressure remains substantially elevated for more than 30-60 minutes after you exercise, there is generally no need to be concerned about blood pressure elevations with exercise.—RICHARD N. FOGOROS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A substantial increase in blood pressure during exercise is completely normal. Unless you have symptoms during or immediately after exercising (such as lightheadedness or dizziness), or if your blood pressure remains substantially elevated for more than 30-60 minutes after you exercise, there is generally no need to be concerned about blood pressure elevations with exercise.
—RICHARD N. FOGOROS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lee J, Vasan RS, Xanthakis V.Association of blood pressure responses to submaximal exercise in midlife with the incidence of cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality: The Framingham heart study.J Am Heart Assoc. 2020;9(11):e015554. doi:10.1161/JAHA.119.015554Kim D, Ha JW.Hypertensive response to exercise: Mechanisms and clinical implication.Clin Hypertens. 2016;22(1):17. doi:10.1186/s40885-016-0052-yLaukkanen JA, Kurl S, Salonen R, Lakka TA, Rauramaa R, Salonen JT.Systolic blood pressure during recovery from exercise and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in middle-aged men.Hypertension. 2004;44(6):820-825. doi:10.1161/01.HYP.0000148460.95060.f2Mohammed LM, Dhavale M, Abdelaal MK, et al.Exercise-induced hypertension in healthy individuals and athletes: Is it an alarming sign?Cureus.2020 Dec;12(12):e11988. doi:10.7759/cureus.11988Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association.The basics of blood pressure.De Brito LC, Rezende RA, da Silva Junior ND, et al.Post-exercise hypotension and its mechanisms differ after morning and evening exercise: A randomized crossover study.PLoS One.2015;10(7):e0132458. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132458Perrier-Melo RJ, Germano-Soares AH, Brito AF, Dantas IV, Costas MDC.Post-exercise hypotension in response to high-intensity interval exercise: Potential mechanisms.Rev Port Cardiol (Engl Ed). 2021;40(10):797-799. doi:10.1016/j.repc.2021.05.006Grimard B, Safford R, Burns E.Aortic stenosis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(5):371-378American Heart Association.Symptoms, diagnosis and monitoring of arrhythmia.Saco-Ledo G, Valenzuela PL, Ruiz-Hurtado G, Ruilope LM, Lucia A.Exercise reduces ambulatory blood pressure in patients with hypertension: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials.JAHA. 2020;9(24):e018487. doi:10.1161/JAHA.120.018487American Heart Association,Getting active to control high blood pressure.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measuring physical activity intensity.National Association of Sports Medicine.Low blood pressure and exercise: What to look for.National Kidney Foundation.Can I safely exercise with high blood pressure?American Heart Association.Getting active to control high blood pressure.Blood Pressure UK.Exercise, physical activity, and your blood pressure.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lee J, Vasan RS, Xanthakis V.Association of blood pressure responses to submaximal exercise in midlife with the incidence of cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality: The Framingham heart study.J Am Heart Assoc. 2020;9(11):e015554. doi:10.1161/JAHA.119.015554Kim D, Ha JW.Hypertensive response to exercise: Mechanisms and clinical implication.Clin Hypertens. 2016;22(1):17. doi:10.1186/s40885-016-0052-yLaukkanen JA, Kurl S, Salonen R, Lakka TA, Rauramaa R, Salonen JT.Systolic blood pressure during recovery from exercise and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in middle-aged men.Hypertension. 2004;44(6):820-825. doi:10.1161/01.HYP.0000148460.95060.f2Mohammed LM, Dhavale M, Abdelaal MK, et al.Exercise-induced hypertension in healthy individuals and athletes: Is it an alarming sign?Cureus.2020 Dec;12(12):e11988. doi:10.7759/cureus.11988Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association.The basics of blood pressure.De Brito LC, Rezende RA, da Silva Junior ND, et al.Post-exercise hypotension and its mechanisms differ after morning and evening exercise: A randomized crossover study.PLoS One.2015;10(7):e0132458. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132458Perrier-Melo RJ, Germano-Soares AH, Brito AF, Dantas IV, Costas MDC.Post-exercise hypotension in response to high-intensity interval exercise: Potential mechanisms.Rev Port Cardiol (Engl Ed). 2021;40(10):797-799. doi:10.1016/j.repc.2021.05.006Grimard B, Safford R, Burns E.Aortic stenosis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(5):371-378American Heart Association.Symptoms, diagnosis and monitoring of arrhythmia.Saco-Ledo G, Valenzuela PL, Ruiz-Hurtado G, Ruilope LM, Lucia A.Exercise reduces ambulatory blood pressure in patients with hypertension: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials.JAHA. 2020;9(24):e018487. doi:10.1161/JAHA.120.018487American Heart Association,Getting active to control high blood pressure.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measuring physical activity intensity.National Association of Sports Medicine.Low blood pressure and exercise: What to look for.National Kidney Foundation.Can I safely exercise with high blood pressure?American Heart Association.Getting active to control high blood pressure.Blood Pressure UK.Exercise, physical activity, and your blood pressure.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lee J, Vasan RS, Xanthakis V.Association of blood pressure responses to submaximal exercise in midlife with the incidence of cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality: The Framingham heart study.J Am Heart Assoc. 2020;9(11):e015554. doi:10.1161/JAHA.119.015554Kim D, Ha JW.Hypertensive response to exercise: Mechanisms and clinical implication.Clin Hypertens. 2016;22(1):17. doi:10.1186/s40885-016-0052-yLaukkanen JA, Kurl S, Salonen R, Lakka TA, Rauramaa R, Salonen JT.Systolic blood pressure during recovery from exercise and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in middle-aged men.Hypertension. 2004;44(6):820-825. doi:10.1161/01.HYP.0000148460.95060.f2Mohammed LM, Dhavale M, Abdelaal MK, et al.Exercise-induced hypertension in healthy individuals and athletes: Is it an alarming sign?Cureus.2020 Dec;12(12):e11988. doi:10.7759/cureus.11988Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association.The basics of blood pressure.De Brito LC, Rezende RA, da Silva Junior ND, et al.Post-exercise hypotension and its mechanisms differ after morning and evening exercise: A randomized crossover study.PLoS One.2015;10(7):e0132458. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132458Perrier-Melo RJ, Germano-Soares AH, Brito AF, Dantas IV, Costas MDC.Post-exercise hypotension in response to high-intensity interval exercise: Potential mechanisms.Rev Port Cardiol (Engl Ed). 2021;40(10):797-799. doi:10.1016/j.repc.2021.05.006Grimard B, Safford R, Burns E.Aortic stenosis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(5):371-378American Heart Association.Symptoms, diagnosis and monitoring of arrhythmia.Saco-Ledo G, Valenzuela PL, Ruiz-Hurtado G, Ruilope LM, Lucia A.Exercise reduces ambulatory blood pressure in patients with hypertension: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials.JAHA. 2020;9(24):e018487. doi:10.1161/JAHA.120.018487American Heart Association,Getting active to control high blood pressure.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measuring physical activity intensity.National Association of Sports Medicine.Low blood pressure and exercise: What to look for.National Kidney Foundation.Can I safely exercise with high blood pressure?American Heart Association.Getting active to control high blood pressure.Blood Pressure UK.Exercise, physical activity, and your blood pressure.
Lee J, Vasan RS, Xanthakis V.Association of blood pressure responses to submaximal exercise in midlife with the incidence of cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality: The Framingham heart study.J Am Heart Assoc. 2020;9(11):e015554. doi:10.1161/JAHA.119.015554
Kim D, Ha JW.Hypertensive response to exercise: Mechanisms and clinical implication.Clin Hypertens. 2016;22(1):17. doi:10.1186/s40885-016-0052-y
Laukkanen JA, Kurl S, Salonen R, Lakka TA, Rauramaa R, Salonen JT.Systolic blood pressure during recovery from exercise and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in middle-aged men.Hypertension. 2004;44(6):820-825. doi:10.1161/01.HYP.0000148460.95060.f2
Mohammed LM, Dhavale M, Abdelaal MK, et al.Exercise-induced hypertension in healthy individuals and athletes: Is it an alarming sign?Cureus.2020 Dec;12(12):e11988. doi:10.7759/cureus.11988
Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association.The basics of blood pressure.
De Brito LC, Rezende RA, da Silva Junior ND, et al.Post-exercise hypotension and its mechanisms differ after morning and evening exercise: A randomized crossover study.PLoS One.2015;10(7):e0132458. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132458
Perrier-Melo RJ, Germano-Soares AH, Brito AF, Dantas IV, Costas MDC.Post-exercise hypotension in response to high-intensity interval exercise: Potential mechanisms.Rev Port Cardiol (Engl Ed). 2021;40(10):797-799. doi:10.1016/j.repc.2021.05.006
Grimard B, Safford R, Burns E.Aortic stenosis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(5):371-378
American Heart Association.Symptoms, diagnosis and monitoring of arrhythmia.
Saco-Ledo G, Valenzuela PL, Ruiz-Hurtado G, Ruilope LM, Lucia A.Exercise reduces ambulatory blood pressure in patients with hypertension: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials.JAHA. 2020;9(24):e018487. doi:10.1161/JAHA.120.018487
American Heart Association,Getting active to control high blood pressure.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measuring physical activity intensity.
National Association of Sports Medicine.Low blood pressure and exercise: What to look for.
National Kidney Foundation.Can I safely exercise with high blood pressure?
American Heart Association.Getting active to control high blood pressure.
Blood Pressure UK.Exercise, physical activity, and your blood pressure.
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