Page 22 - ISI_162_JuneJuly

Fitness
PAGE 22
Can I Safely Exercise with
Hypertension?
BY AMANDA MENARD, LPN
(ACLS TRAINING CENTER) Not only can you
safely exercise with hypertension, you NEED
to exercise with hypertension. Exercise on
a regular basis helps to keep us healthy
overall. With regular physical activity, the
heart becomes stronger, therefore, it takes
less effort to pump, which reduces force
on the arteries and lowers blood pressure
to healthier levels. For some individuals,
regular exercise can reduce the need for
blood pressure medication. Hypertension,
or any form of heart and vascular disease,
doesn’t have to hamper our lives. In fact,
this diagnosis should act as a wake-up call
to treat our bodies better and live a healthier
life.
HOW DO I BEGIN?
First, if you haven’t been active for a
long time, do not begin with a 60-minute
swim followed by a 4-mile jog home from
the pool! Check with your physician to
make sure that there are no extenuating
Moving Soon?
We’re your full-service moving
specialist. From selling your home
to personal property.
Maximize
your return
• Licensed Real
Estate Agent
• Estate Specialists
• Auctions - Live & Internet
• Certified Personal
Property Appraisals
• Bonded & Insured
• Licensed Gun Dealer
• Business & Equipment
• Free Consultation
27 Years
Since 1991
Experience!
Call today for a free consultation
888-442-4333 or 208-888-9563
www.corbettauctions.com
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT • JUNE / JULY 2020
YES, YES, AND YES!
circumstances that would limit your activ- during the day or week (morning, following
ity. Then start slowly. Don’t forget to warm exercise, and before bedtime). With regular
up before exercising as it can help reduce exercise, you will soon see the benefits
the risk the risk of injury. reflected in your blood pressure results.
Walking is an excellent way to start. If There are some practical everyday ways to
you are an outdoors person, gather a couple increase the amount of exercise you are getting.
of friends or neighbors and walk at a normal Stop driving around that parking lot
pace for 30 minutes. Otherwise, a treadmill looking for the best spot. Take advantage
is a great alternative. Gradually increase of all those empty spaces farther away from
your distance and pace as you become more the entrance. Depending on how much you
conditioned. Exercise becomes aerobic when shop, you can increase your weekly exercise
you are slightly short of breath (but still able by a decent amount.
to speak), and your heart rate increases. Take the stairs. If you do not have ortho-
Other exercises that you may find fun pedic issues and can walk up a flight of
include cycling, hiking, swimming, or active stairs, step away from the elevator and take
sports such as tennis or basketball. What is the stairs instead.
most important is that the exercise is some- Spend some time with your children or
thing you enjoy doing. No one is going to keep grandchildren at the park. They will defi-
up with an exercise program that is tortuous. nitely keep you moving.
Your goal should be to build up to 30 If you take advantage of these ideas, it
minutes, 5 days per week. If you can’t set will not even seem like you’re exercising.
aside that amount of time all at once, you can CAN I EXERCISE TOO MUCH?
breakup your workout into three 10-minute Your body will let you know what it can
sessions and receive the same benefits as a handle. Listen to it! Stop exercising and
30-minute routine. If you work at a job where rest if you:
you are more sed- < Develop chest pain. If your chest pain
entary, remember does not go away after 5-10 minutes of rest,
to regularly get up seek medical attention.
Have shortness of breath that renders
<
and walk around as
research has shown you unable to speak.
that too much time < Feel pain in your back, jaw, neck or
sitting can contrib- shoulders.
<
ute to several health
Experience dizziness, light-headedness,
conditions. or weakness.
Monitor your < Develop an irregular heartbeat. Seek
blood pressure reg- medical attention if this occurs.
Since you have learned that it is safe to
ularly. The purchase exercise with hypertension, and it is effective
of a good automated
blood pressure cuff in reducing your blood pressure, get off the
is a great invest- couch, get moving, and exercise your way
ment. Take your to a healthy life and lower blood pressure! ISI
blood pressure at
different times For more information, visit acls.net
Over
• Audiology & Hearing Aids • Problem Snoring Treatment
• Head & Neck Surgery • Allergy Testing & Treatment
• Facial Plastic Surgery
Dr. Je Burry • Dr. Elizabeth O’Neill • Dr. Sennett Pierce
Call for an appointment today
208.816.4573
330 Warner Dr • Lewiston, ID