HEALTH FIRST Medical Group Cardiologist John Hoyle, MD, spoke with Vero News for a story on the impact of isometric exercise – holding a static position using muscular pressure for a period of time – on controlling or lowering high blood pressure. “Although any exercise is beneficial, we’ve been learning more about which type of exercise benefits specific issues, and isometric exercise has a measurable impact on lowering blood pressure.” 

Exercise that helps control your blood pressure doesn’t have to be about sweating through a cycling class, adding up miles clocked on a brisk walk or pumping iron in the weight room.

According to Mayo Clinic, a different form of exercise – isometric exercise – is gaining attention for its role in helping lower and control blood pressure.

Dr. John Hoyle, a cardiologist with Health First Medical Group, says that for many years the accepted thinking was that aerobic exercise was the gold standard, but opinion has changed.

“Although any exercise is beneficial, we’ve been learning more about which type of exercise benefits specific issues, and isometric exercise has a measurable impact on lowering blood pressure.”

Most people have some sense of what isometric exercise is. Medical News Today defines it as any exercise that involves holding a static position using muscular pressure for a long period of time.

Evidence suggests the constant tension on the muscles may help improve muscle endurance.

“Isometric exercises can be done at home, many of them sitting in a chair. Often people are uncomfortable going to a gym, so they just don’t go.”

READ the full feature in Vero News HERE.