Wednesday June 18, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- Physical activity in addition to diet is important for the management of high blood pressure, a report in Annals of Cardiology and Angiology suggests.

According to the report, physical inactivity is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and high blood pressure is one risk factor that boosts the risk.  Conversely, regular physical activity can lower the risk by as much as 60%.

Although the acute changes in blood pressure in response to physical activity vary by the type of exercise, repeated physical activity provides chronic hypotensive benefits.

However, physical activity prescription should be preconized to cater to an individual's need for the control of hypertension.

Diet is also important.  Studies show that Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced risk of hypertension or high blood pressure.  (david Liu, PHD)

Sosner P, Gremeaux V, Bosquet L, Herpin D.  High blood pressure and physical exercise.  Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris). 2014 Jun 2.