The American Heart Association (AHA) is encouraging doctors to recommend exercise as a first step for healthy adults with slightly high blood pressure or cholesterol.
Instead of turning to medication right away, the AHA wants healthcare providers to focus on lifestyle changes—especially being more physically active.
This advice is important because many people are affected. In the U.S., about 53 million adults—21% of the population—have slightly high blood pressure.
This means their systolic blood pressure (the top number) is between 120 and 139 mmHg, or their diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is between 80 and 89 mmHg. Also, around 71 million adults (28% of the population) have mildly high cholesterol, with LDL (“bad”) cholesterol above 70 mg/dL.
For these people, who are not at high risk of heart disease or stroke, current guidelines already suggest making healthy lifestyle changes. These include eating a balanced diet, losing weight if needed, quitting smoking, cutting down on alcohol, and getting regular exercise. The AHA now highlights physical activity as one of the most important actions.
Doctors are being encouraged to talk to patients about their daily habits and suggest activities they enjoy, like walking, biking, or swimming. Even simple changes like taking the stairs or parking farther from a store can help. The goal is to make physical activity part of everyday life.
Some doctors may even write “exercise prescriptions” or connect patients with health coaches or local programs to help them stay motivated. Studies show that these small changes can make a big impact. For example, regular physical activity can lower blood pressure by 3 to 4 mmHg and reduce LDL cholesterol by 3 to 6 mg/dL.
Being active also lowers the chance of heart disease. People who exercise regularly have a 21% lower risk of developing heart problems and a 36% lower risk of dying from them, compared to those who do not exercise.
The U.S. government recommends that adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of intense activity each week. It also recommends two days of strength training, such as lifting weights or doing push-ups. Moderate exercise includes things like brisk walking or cycling, while intense exercise might be running or aerobics.
The AHA says that even small steps count. Adding just 5 to 10 more minutes of movement a day can improve health. Gradually building a routine and celebrating small wins—like walking to the store or using stairs—can help people stay on track.
This statement, led by researcher Bethany Barone Gibbs and published in the journal Hypertension, shows how important exercise is for controlling mild blood pressure and cholesterol problems. It gives hope that by moving more, people can stay healthier and may not need medicine to manage these issues.
Living an active life can help prevent heart disease and improve overall well-being. It’s a simple, natural step that doctors now see as powerful medicine.
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