Curtis Health
  • Home
  • About Us
    • The Curtis Heritage
    • Meet the Team
  • Programs for
    • Employers
    • Property Managers and Building Owners
    • Individuals
  • Virtual Services
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
    • How Can We Help?
    • Leave a Review
  • Blog
  • Thrive
    • Recorded Zoom Classes
    • Log In

Author Archive for Keara

Exercise – the Medicine you NEED to manage Blood Pressure!

Posted on May 1, 2018
by Keara
No Comments

 

The heart is the most important muscle in your body. And just like any other muscle, your biceps for example, you need to work it to keep it strong!

Herein lays the reason to get up, move your body, and exercise for Heart Health benefits!

When your heart beats, it pumps blood around your body, transporting oxygen & energy where it is needed. Pressure from the heart beat is needed to make blood circulate – this pressure of blood flow causes resistance against the walls of your blood vessels and is considered your blood pressure!

A healthy heart pumps blood around easily, at a low pressure against vessel walls. Blood pressure readings at or below 120/80mmHg is considered good low blood pressure. High blood pressure means that your heart must pump harder and there is an increased resistance on the blood vessels. Having a blood pressure reading at or over 140/90mmHg puts you in a high risk category, and should be treated to lower those numbers.

Think of your blood vessels as a garden hose. If you block an end of the garden hose with your finger, the pressure of water inside the hose increases. This is similar to how blood pressure is affected by a blockage or narrowing of the blood vessel. If there is increased stiffness or narrowing of the blood vessel itself, there is a smaller “tube” for the heart to pump the same amount of blood through and an increase in pressure!

We need to be proactive in ways to maintain good heart & blood vessel health. Lifestyle plays a major role in managing your blood pressure. If you can successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you might avoid, delay, or reduce the need for medication!

In this grand spectrum of “Healthy Living”, is exercise. Exercise, more specifically cardiovascular exercise, is known to improve the strength of the heart and decrease the stiffness of the vessels. A stronger heart can pump blood more efficiently! Cardiovascular exercise is considered any form of aerobic activity – walking, running, cycling, fitness classes, etc.

Canadian guidelines suggest at least 150 minutes (equates to 30 minutes 5 times per week) of aerobic exercise accumulated per week!

That being said, resistance training is also known to decrease blood pressure! Stronger postural muscles help in keeping blood flowing throughout the body.

So, what are you waiting for?! Keep it simple – even a 15 minute walk around the block twice in your work day will help decrease your blood pressure & heart disease risk!

Uncategorized

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

chnewsletterbutton

Recent Posts

  • Your Mental Health Matters – Let’s Talk About It
  • To all the Mommas
  • Easy Ways to Start Going Green
  • Spring into Fitness
  • Top Trends in Corporate Fitness for 2025

Categories

  • Avoiding Illness
  • Corporate Wellness
  • Curtis Health Team
  • Fitness Centre
  • Fitness Facility Management
  • General
  • Getting Outdoors
  • Gym Hygiene
  • Health & Wellness
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Mind/Body Wellness
  • Mindset
  • Miscellaneous
  • Nutrition and Exercise
  • Recipes
  • Setting Goals
  • Uncategorized
  • Women's Health
  • Workplace Wellness

Home | About Us | Meet the Team | How Can We Help? | Careers | Employers | Property Managers | Individuals | Contact Us | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 Curtis Health

CURTIS_LOGO_NEW_Blue

Head Office:  1098 Canyon BLVD, North Vancouver, BC V7R 2K4 Telephone: 604.921.2348

Curtis Health Is Partnering With Kintec: Footwear + Orthotics

Kintec is offering all Curtis clients (including friends and family) expert shoe fitting to best suit your needs at a 15% discount on regular price footwear. 

Click here to access coupon code

Workshop Information Request