HHS HealthBeat (April 24, 2007)

Good habits and healthy blood pressure

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Years of healthy activity habits can lead to good things. Healthy blood pressure, for instance.

Emily Parker and David Jacobs of the University of Minnesota looked at 15 years of data on blood pressure in physically active and not active men ages 18 to 30. Their study in the American Journal of Public Health was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Men who stayed active, or who cut back only a little, had a 10 percent to 15 percent lower risk of high blood pressure.

Jacobs says that, with continued exercise, you could get continued benefits, like healthier weight and a lower risk of heart disease: 

``I like to say that the primary reason for being active is so you can chase your grandchildren. Being active has a lot of benefits.’’(8 seconds)

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: April, 24 2007