A new analysis of 25 studies suggests that exercise can help lower blood pressure in people who have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). The review looked at different types of exercise, including aerobic training, resistance training, and a combination of both.
Aerobic exercise alone reduced systolic blood pressure (the top number) by about 3.8 mmHg on average and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) by about 1.9 mmHg. The combination of aerobic and resistance training was even more effective, lowering systolic pressure by about 7 mmHg and diastolic pressure by about 3.6 mmHg.
These results are based on a meta-analysis of existing studies, which means the findings are pooled from multiple smaller studies. The review did not report on safety issues like injuries or how well people tolerated the exercise programs.
For stroke survivors, this adds to the evidence that exercise is a valuable part of recovery and long-term health. However, it's important to talk to a doctor before starting any new exercise routine, especially after a stroke.
