Heart Health

My blood pressure was once very high but is now under control. Is it safe for me to take up weight training?

Print This Page

Before you begin any exercise program, discuss your exercise plans with your doctor. Men with high blood pressure may be advised to avoid certain activities due to concern about excessive dehydration when taking diuretic medications. If you take a diuretic, you would generally begin exercise with a lower volume of water in your system, which would be further depleted upon sweating. In addition, medicines for hypertension, such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, would limit your maximum achievable heart rate.

Over the long-term, weight training in combination with aerobic exercise lowers resting blood pressure. Men with well-controlled blood pressure may safely pursue weight (i.e., resistance) training with a few caveats. For one thing, during the act of weight lifting, immediate spikes in blood pressure occur. The spikes are more pronounced when an individual performs a breath hold and strains during the lift, resulting in what's called a Valsalva maneuver. During the Valsalva maneuver, blood flow returning to the heart decreases and the pressure in the chest cavity rises.

To continue reading this article, you must log in.

Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.

Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:

  • Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
  • 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
  • Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
  • In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
  • Interactive features like videos and quizzes
  • Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
Learn more about the benefits of features of HHO+ »

I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.

Sign Me Up

Already a member? Login ».

Print This Page

Disclaimer:

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up
Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift.

The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness.