Your blood pressure can rise after exercise, but the increase is typically temporary. Extreme spikes or drops in blood pressure may be a sign of a medical condition such as hypertension.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a normal blood pressure reading is
Systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats. Exercise can temporarily increase your systolic blood pressure.
Diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your blood vessels between heartbeats. It should not change significantly during exercise. If it does, consult your doctor.
It’s difficult to say conclusively which blood pressure readings are considered healthy after exercise, as blood pressure varies from person to person. Blood pressure levels that are normal for one person might be a sign of a problem for someone else.
Aerobic activities such as swimming, cycling, and running put additional demands on your cardiovascular system. Your muscles need more oxygen during exercise than when you’re at rest, so you have to breathe more quickly.
Your heart starts to pump harder and faster to circulate blood and deliver oxygen to your muscles, raising your systolic blood pressure.
For most people, blood pressure gradually returns to normal within several hours of a workout. But even then, you might notice that your blood pressure doesn’t return to exactly what it was before exercise. That’s because it’s normal for blood pressure to drop slightly within a few hours of exercise.
The more quickly your blood pressure returns to its resting level, the healthier you probably are.
Factors such as diet, medical conditions, and medications can influence how your cardiovascular system responds to exercise.
Hypertensive response to exercise
Exercise-induced hypertension, also called hypertensive response to exercise (HRE), is a condition in which your blood pressure spikes dramatically during physical activity. It’s unclear how rare this condition is, but a doctor may diagnose it if systolic blood pressure increases during exercise to 210 mm Hg in men or 190 mm Hg in women.
Atypical spikes in blood pressure are also possible during moderate exercise.
Some researchers suggest that abnormal blood pressure increases during moderate exercise may indicate masked (undetected) heart disease and may be more representative of a person’s blood pressure during daily activities that require moderate effort, like climbing stairs or walking briskly to get somewhere on time.
When to seek medical care for a high blood pressure readingCall 911 if your blood pressure quickly rises to a
reading of 180/120 mm Hg or greaterTrusted Source and you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- back pain
- numbness
- weakness
- changes in vision
- difficulty speaking
An unexpected blood pressure in this range can be a sign of a heart attack or stroke.
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It’s safe to exercise if you have a risk of high blood pressure (a condition previously called prehypertension) or if you currently have high blood pressure (hypertension). In fact, regular exercise can help you manage your blood pressure.
If you’re at risk for hypertension or already have it, talk with your doctor about the safest way to exercise. This may involve:
- taking medication to lower your blood pressure
- choosing moderate intensity activities
- starting slowly and working up to daily exercise
If you’re concerned about your blood pressure, you can check it before, during, and after your workouts.
If you have low blood pressure (hypotension), it’s a good idea to check with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program.
Exercise — especially activities that involve sudden posture changes — can trigger a condition called orthostatic hypotension or postural hypotension. With this condition, you might experience symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, and nausea.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise if you have low blood pressure. In fact, exercise can be beneficial in treating hypotension because it helps improve blood circulation.
If you have low blood pressure, opt for moderate activities that don’t involve bending and rising quickly to an upright position.
A spike or drop in blood pressure during exercise may be a sign of a medical condition.
Blood pressure spikes
A dramatic increase in blood pressure during or after exercise could be a sign of:
- hypertension
- HRE
- an increased risk of developing hypertension
If your blood pressure rises quickly to a
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- back pain
- numbness
- weakness
- changes in vision
- difficulty speaking
An unexpected blood pressure in this range can be a sign of a heart attack or stroke.
Blood pressure drops
Significant drops in blood pressure after exercise are a risk factor for hypertension and certain types of heart disease.
While most people experience a slight drop in blood pressure after exercise,
Talk with your doctor if you notice any of the following:
- You have a blood pressure reading of 180/120 mm Hg or higher during or after exercise.
- Your blood pressure spikes after exercise.
- Your blood pressure drops sharply after exercise.
- Your blood pressure doesn’t change at all during exercise.
- Your diastolic pressure (the bottom number) changes significantly during exercise.
If you have any concerns about your blood pressure, consult a doctor or another healthcare professional.
Exercise can help regulate your blood pressure. If you have hypotension or are at risk of developing hypertension, the following tips can help you exercise safely:
- Exercise a little every day to manage your blood pressure.
- Check with a doctor or another healthcare professional if you’re not very active but would like to be more active.
- Choose moderate activities, such as walking, swimming, or cycling. Gradually increase the length and intensity of your workouts.
- Warm up before exercising to avoid injuries.
- Stop your exercise activity gradually. If you have high blood pressure, a cooldown period is crucial to allow your heart rate and blood pressure to slowly return to pre-exercise levels.
It’s common for blood pressure to rise during exercise, and it’s usually safe to exercise if you have low or high blood pressure. In fact, exercise can help you manage your blood pressure.
But if your blood pressure increases or decreases too much after exercise, there may be a reason for concern. Talk with a doctor or another healthcare professional if you have questions about exercise and blood pressure.
