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Hypertension: Avoid any of these 5 exercises if you have blood pressure

Dealing with high blood pressure can feel like a constant battle. Do you ever wonder if your workout routine could be making it worse? Many focus on diet, which is crucial, but what about exercise? While staying active is key to better health, not all exercises are safe for those with hypertension. Some can cause sudden spikes in blood pressure, putting extra strain on the heart. You have to be careful about the exercises you do with high blood pressure.
Some exercises to avoid with high blood pressure include heavy weightlifting, sprinting, and intense high-intensity interval training (HIIT). These activities increase heart rate and blood pressure too quickly, posing dangerous health risks.
Instead, you should perform moderate, steady activities like walking, swimming, or yoga.
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure or hypertension occurs when the force of blood against your artery walls is too high. This makes your heart work harder, which can lead to serious health problems over time, such as heart disease or stroke.
According to the World Health Organization, hypertension affects over one billion adults globally or one in four adults aged between 30 and 79. It is the leading risk factor for death worldwide and accounts for about half of all deaths related to heart disease and stroke.
Blood pressure is measured with two numbers: systolic (the pressure during heartbeats) and diastolic (the pressure when the heart is at rest). Hypertension is diagnosed if either of these numbers is too high.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because it typically shows no symptoms. However, in severe cases or sudden spikes, certain symptoms may appear. Common symptoms include:
Dizziness
Heart palpitations
Nausea and vomiting
Headaches
Chest pain
Some people might even notice blood spots in the eyes, known as subconjunctival hemorrhage.
Other signs can include shortness of breath, blurred vision, fatigue, and confusion. In rare cases, high blood pressure can cause nosebleeds. It is important to remember that some people with high blood pressure feel fine, so regular check-ups are key to diagnosing it and starting treatment to manage it.
What causes high blood pressure?
High blood pressure can develop due to several causes, often a mix of genetic and lifestyle factors. Here are some common causes of high BP:
Genetics play a role, as family history can increase the risk of developing hypertension.
Lifestyle choices like a poor diet, especially high in salt, processed foods, or unhealthy fats, can lead to hypertension.
Age is another key factor—blood pressure tends to rise as we grow older.
Obesity is a major cause of hypertension, as extra body weight forces the heart to work harder to pump blood.
Lack of physical activity and excessive alcohol consumption also contribute to high blood pressure.
Smoking damages the blood vessels, increasing pressure in the arteries.
Chronic stress can also temporarily increase blood pressure, and over time, it may contribute to long-term hypertension.
Medications like birth control pills or overuse of pain relievers can also raise blood pressure.
Certain underlying medical conditions, such as kidney disease, sleep apnea, and thyroid problems, can lead to secondary hypertension. In some cases, conditions like diabetes or high cholesterol can worsen the risk.
High blood pressure can cause several health complications.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises individuals to aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, which breaks down to about 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
They also recommend incorporating resistance training on two days per week. However, if you have high blood pressure or heart disease, it is crucial to consult your doctor before starting any workout routine. While exercise is typically beneficial for lowering blood pressure, certain types of workouts can place excessive strain on the heart.
Here are five exercises you should steer clear of if you have high blood pressure:
1. Heavy weightlifting
Lifting heavy weights can cause a rapid spike in blood pressure. When you lift something too heavy, your body naturally holds its breath, a phenomenon called the Valsalva maneuver. This temporarily restricts blood flow, leading to dangerous surges in pressure, which could be risky for anyone with hypertension, as per a study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease. If you still want to incorporate weightlifting into your routine, choose lighter weights only for a safer yet effective workout.
2. Isometric exercises
Isometric exercises, like planks or wall sits, involve holding a position for an extended period. This might sound harmless, but it puts your muscles under constant tension, which can significantly increase your blood pressure during the exercise. Sustained muscle contraction can force the heart to work harder, leading to an unhealthy rise in blood pressure, revealed a study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease. Instead, choose aerobic exercises such as cycling, swimming, etc. that allow for movement but does not put too much strain on your body.
3. High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
HIIT workouts involve alternating between short, intense bursts of activity and rest. While this type of training is known for its cardiovascular benefits, the extreme intensity can cause blood pressure to spike during the workout. In fact, for patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle and not used to HIIT exercises, HIIT can sharply increase the risk of sudden cardiac death or acute myocardial infarctions, according to a study published in Sports Health. Instead, focus on lower-intensity cardio exercises like walking or swimming to improve your heart health.
4. Intense sprinting
Like HIIT, sprinting places sudden and high demands on your cardiovascular system. When you sprint, your heart rate skyrockets, and with it, your blood pressure levels. “The rapid and intense effort forces the heart to pump blood quickly, increasing pressure in the arteries. For someone with high blood pressure, this can increase the risk of heart complications,” explains fitness expert Mukul Nagpaul. Stick to aerobic or cardio activities like jogging or brisk walking.
5. Dynamic exercises
Dynamic exercises are activities that involve quick movements and changes in direction, such as burpees or jumping jacks. These types of exercises can cause sudden fluctuations in blood pressure. “Your heart is constantly adjusting to the changing demands, which can be particularly strenuous for someone with hypertension,” says Nagpaul. Rather than dynamic, high-impact activities, you can do moderate-intensity exercises like cycling or yoga, which offer several benefits to your heart health.
Some other physical activities to avoid with high BP
In addition to exercise, certain physical activities are also risky for those with high blood pressure. These activities can push your cardiovascular system beyond its safe limits, so it is always best to avoid them.
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INEC ought to have archived recall petition long ago-Senator Natasha

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Thursday hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for rejecting a petition to recall her as the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The lawmaker, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said the electoral umpire should have thrown out the petition long before it did on April 3, 2025.
“I’m a lawyer. I’m a senator and I understand how Nigeria works. For me, the most important thing is this recall process has been stalled.
“I give kudos and credit to INEC even though I believe they should have thrown it away from the get-go.
“I think it was void ab initio because there is no law in the Electoral Act that says a petition should be discarded just because there is no address but again, what if the address is false?”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain argued that most of the addresses provided in the petition for her recall were false because most houses in her district weren’t labelled.
Even though INEC did count 208,000 signatures, I bet you if they had gone into the verification stage, they would have struggled to even have 500 people come out to attest to signing that,” she added.
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We’re putting together new 2025 Budget for Rivers-Ibas

…hosts Delegation Of Rivers NASS Caucus
The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas, has said that an appropriation bill for 2025 is being articulated to provide for critical development concerns in healthcare delivery, education, agriculture and infrastructure.
Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas also said that the anticipated budget will cater to creating more employment opportunities for Rivers people and advance delivery of technology in critical facets of public life.
The administrator gave the hint when he hosted the delegation of Rivers State caucus at the National Assembly, led by Dr Barinada Mpigi, the Senator representing Rivers South-East District, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Those on the delegation included Senator Allwell Onyesoh, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, Hon Dumnamene Dekor, Hon Solomon Bob, Hon Cyril Godwin Hart,
Hon Blessing Amadi, Hon. Felix Nwaeke, Hon Kelechi Nwogu, and Hon Victor Obuzor
Ibas said he has been resolute, since assumption of office, to restore law and order, and with support from the security agencies, an environment has been created where Rivers residents feel valued and safer.
The Administrator stated that the commitment is to make Rivers a model of peace in the comity of States, with a stable economy and citizens courageous to pursue their livelihood without fear or molestation.
“In addition to our peace building efforts, we are also focused on the economic stability and development of Rivers State.
“Since the Supreme Court verdict on the state’s budget, we have acted swiftly and decided to put together a new budget that reflects our commitment to healthcare, education, social services, and continued infrastructural development.
“We have worked diligently to ensure that the process is transparent, inclusive, and most importantly expedited. Our goal is to ensure that we do not lose any more time in making the necessary investments that will improve the lives of citizens.”
Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas stated: “The budget which is been finalized focuses on creating job opportunities and investing in key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and technology.
“We understand the urgency of this initiative, and we are committed to ensuring that they are implemented without delay.”
The Administrator noted that to get the task done, the support of the legislators will be required as key representatives of Rivers State in the National Assembly.
He sued for their assistance in securing the necessary resources and legislative backing that would bring the initiative of his administration to fruition.
“Your partnership is critical to success in ensuring that Rivers State remains on the path of progress and enduring peace for future generations.”
He explained that in the face of the challenges that beset Rivers, which led to the State of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, dialogue, community engagement and reconciliation were deplored to build trust among the citizenry.
He noted that the people of Rivers State have shown incredible resilience and patience in the efforts taken so far to restore the State back to the path of peace and respect for the law.
Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas assured that his administration remains committed to achieving enduring peace for the state.
He said: “Beyond security, we have prioritised community engagements as a central part of our strategy. Dialogue, reconciliation, and inclusivity have been key to building trust among our people.
“We are determined to strengthen the bond of unity in Rivers State and to foster an environment where every citizen feels valued, heard, and respected. Together, we are making strides in ensuring that peace becomes a permanent feature of our state.”
Responding, Senator Barinada Mpigi, representing Rivers South-East District, said they are dedicated representatives of Rivers people at the National Assembly and resolved to support all efforts that will bring development to the State.
While commending the administrator for the modest successes he had achieved so far, Senator Mpigi pledged the support and cooperation of the legislators to ensure the return of the state on the path of law and order.
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Just in: Shettima jets out to attend Senegal’s independence

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal for official assignment.
The VP is expected to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the West African nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
Senegal marks its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its liberation from French colonial rule in 1960.
The annual celebration is a significant event featuring national parades, cultural displays, and ceremonies highlighting the country’s achievements and unity.
A statement issued on Thursday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima’s participation followed an official invitation from Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
This underscored the strong diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Senegal.
The two nations share longstanding relations, particularly within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), fostering cooperation on regional security, trade, and development initiatives.
The event is expected to reaffirm Senegal’s commitment to democratic governance and regional cooperation.
Vice President Shettima is scheduled to return to Nigeria immediately after the one-day celebrations, continuing his engagements in national development and diplomatic outreach.
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