Stretching ‘more effective’ than walking to lower BP
It's the first time the two have been compared in one study, authors say
A simple program of stretching is better at lowering blood pressure than brisk walking in those with hypertension, a small study shows.
Doctors could consider recommending stretching, along with walking in patients with hypertension or at risk of developing it, say the researchers from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada.
They randomly assigned 40 older men and women with elevated blood pressure (130/85–139/89mm Hg) or stage I hypertension (140/90–159/99mm Hg) to one of two therapies.
One group did a stretching routine for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, and the other group walked briskly for the same amount of time and frequency.
