A recent statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) emphasizes that doctors should encourage healthy adults with slightly high blood pressure or cholesterol to get moving.
Instead of immediately turning to medication, the AHA suggests a simple yet powerful approach: sit less and move more. This strategy could significantly improve heart health for millions of people.
The AHA proposes that doctors provide “exercise prescriptions” to patients with mildly elevated blood pressure or cholesterol.
These prescriptions would include personalized advice on how to increase daily physical activity, along with resources like health coaches and connections to local community centers. The goal is to make physical activity a central part of managing slightly elevated heart disease risk factors.
Currently, about 53 million U.S. adults, or 21%, have blood pressure that is considered slightly high.
This includes people whose systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading) falls between 120 and 139 mmHg or whose diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) falls between 80 and 89 mmHg.
Similarly, around 71 million adults (28%) have slightly high levels of LDL cholesterol, which is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. In these cases, an LDL score above 70 mg/dL is considered mildly elevated.
For individuals in these ranges who are otherwise at low risk for heart disease or stroke, the AHA recommends lifestyle changes instead of medication.
These changes include increasing physical activity, losing weight, improving diet, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake. The idea is that small adjustments in daily habits can have a big impact on overall health.
The AHA’s statement suggests that doctors should ask patients about their physical activity levels during every visit. By identifying activities patients enjoy, such as walking, cycling, or swimming, doctors can help make regular exercise a more realistic and enjoyable part of their routine.
Doctors are also encouraged to celebrate even small progress, like walking more often or choosing to take the stairs. These seemingly minor changes can add up over time, leading to improved heart health.
Research shows that increasing physical activity can have a real impact on blood pressure and cholesterol. Studies indicate that people who move more can lower their systolic and diastolic blood pressure by an average of 3 to 4 mmHg.
They can also reduce their LDL cholesterol levels by 3 to 6 mg/dL. These improvements, though modest, can make a significant difference in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Moreover, physically active people are 21% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease, and their risk of dying from heart-related conditions is 36% lower compared to inactive people. These numbers highlight just how important regular exercise is for maintaining heart health.
Federal guidelines recommend that adults aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking or cycling, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as running, each week.
In addition, it’s suggested to include two or more strength training sessions per week. However, even small initial increases in activity—such as adding five to 10 minutes of movement to the day—can provide health benefits.
The AHA’s message is clear: every bit of physical activity counts. Whether it’s a short walk, taking the stairs, or simply standing up more often, small changes can help reduce the risks associated with slightly elevated blood pressure or cholesterol.
The focus is on making movement a habit and gradually increasing activity levels over time.
This approach offers an easy, cost-effective way to improve heart health without the immediate need for medication. For those at low risk of heart disease, increasing physical activity might just be the best “prescription” to keep the heart healthy.
The statement, published in the journal Hypertension, was led by Dr. Bethany Barone Gibbs and reflects the growing evidence that lifestyle changes, particularly physical activity, are key to long-term health.
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