Doctors are now being encouraged to help people lower their blood pressure and cholesterol with exercise instead of medication—at least to start.
A new statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) suggests that people who are otherwise healthy but have slightly high blood pressure or cholesterol should try moving more and sitting less as their first step toward better heart health.
Instead of writing a prescription for pills, doctors are advised to give “exercise prescriptions.” These are personalized plans to help patients be more active in their daily lives.
These plans can include help from health coaches, support groups, or local community programs. The idea is to make regular movement a normal part of people’s routines, which can lower their chances of getting heart disease or having a stroke.
In the United States, around 53 million adults—about 1 in 5—have slightly high blood pressure. This means their top number (systolic) is between 120 and 139, or their bottom number (diastolic) is between 80 and 89.
Also, about 71 million adults—roughly 28% of the population—have slightly high cholesterol. This means their “bad” cholesterol, called LDL, is above 70 mg/dL.
For people in these ranges who are not already at high risk for heart disease or stroke, lifestyle changes are the first treatment doctors should recommend. These changes include moving more, eating better, keeping a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, and cutting back on alcohol.
The AHA recommends that doctors ask patients about their physical activity at every visit. Patients should be encouraged to do activities they enjoy, like walking, biking, gardening, or dancing. Even small changes—like taking the stairs instead of the elevator—can make a difference. It’s important to cheer on these small wins to keep people motivated.
Studies show that regular physical activity can lower both the top and bottom blood pressure numbers by 3 to 4 points and reduce bad cholesterol by 3 to 6 points. People who stay active also have a 21% lower chance of getting heart disease and a 36% lower chance of dying from heart problems compared to people who don’t move much.
The government recommends adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise (like brisk walking) or 75 minutes of harder exercise (like running) each week, plus a couple of strength workouts. But even adding just 5 or 10 minutes of movement a day can help.
This advice comes from a study led by Bethany Barone Gibbs and her team, and it was published in the journal Hypertension. The message is clear: moving your body every day—even a little—can be a powerful tool to protect your heart.
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