Answer :
Final answer:
Exercise significantly benefits hypertensive individuals by reducing blood pressure, lowering bad cholesterol, preventing excess weight gain, and mitigating stress. It enhances cardiovascular health, decreases the risk of heart attacks, and promotes the release of beneficial myokines from contracting muscles.
Explanation:
Research indicates the beneficial effects of exercise for hypertensives include reducing blood pressure, lowering 'bad' cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins), and countering excess body weight. Exercise is also associated with an increase in 'good' cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins), heightened insulin sensitivity, and improvements in the mechanical efficiency of the heart. Furthermore, exercise has been linked to reducing stress, as it can minimize the body's response to stressors and may lower cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress.
Regular physical activity is a crucial component of cardiovascular health, contributing to reductions in the risk of heart attacks by nearly 50 percent with just 30 minutes of noncontinuous exercise each day. This, coupled with a healthy diet and lifestyle, can result in better overall health compared to a sedentary life, regardless of weight. Moreover, exercise promotes the release of myokines from the muscles, which have tissue-repairing, growth-promoting, and anti-inflammatory effects—reducing the risk of inflammatory diseases.
