The Dangers of High Blood Pressure and How Exercise Can Help
By Your Leisure
High blood pressure — or hypertension — is often dubbed the “silent killer” for good reason. Affecting around one in four adults in the UK, it rarely shows symptoms but significantly increases the risk of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and vascular dementia (NHS, 2023).
Blood pressure is the force your heart uses to pump blood around your body, and while some fluctuation is normal, consistently high readings put immense strain on your arteries and vital organs. According to Blood Pressure UK, hypertension contributes to over half of all strokes and heart attacks in the UK, with around 5 million people undiagnosed and unaware of their risk (Blood Pressure UK, 2024).
So, what can be done? The good news is that regular physical activity is one of the most effective and accessible ways to lower blood pressure and protect your heart.
The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity (NHS, 2023). Exercise helps to strengthen the heart, enabling it to pump blood with less effort, thereby reducing the force on your arteries. Over time, this can lead to lower resting blood pressure levels.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Exercise helps manage weight, reduce stress, improve sleep, and regulate cholesterol and blood sugar levels — all of which contribute to maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. The British Heart Foundation notes that being physically active can lower your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke by up to 35% (BHF, 2022).
You don’t need to become a marathon runner either. Brisk walking, swimming, cycling, and fun group exercise classes like dance fitness or yoga are excellent ways to get moving. The key is consistency and finding something you enjoy.
That’s where Your Leisure comes in. Our community-focused centres across Thanet offer friendly, welcoming environments where people of all fitness levels can get active. Whether you prefer hitting the gym, joining a low-impact class like Legs, Bums and Tums, or building strength in a group fitness session, we have something to suit your needs. Our trained team is always on hand to offer support and encouragement, making sure you feel confident and capable on your journey to better health.
So, if you’re ready to take control of your blood pressure and embrace a healthier lifestyle, Your Leisure supportive and friendly gyms and fun group exercise classes are here to help. Pop in and see us at Hartsdown or Ramsgate Leisure Centre and Blue Wave Pool & Gym, Margate.
Sources:
NHS – High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/
Blood Pressure UK – Know Your Numbers Week 2024: https://www.bloodpressureuk.org/
British Heart Foundation – Physical Activity and Your Heart: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/physical-inactivity