Exercise is an important component of disease management for people with diabetes and high blood pressure because of its ability to lower blood sugar and blood pressure. While keeping blood sugar and blood pressure under control are reasons enough to exercise, a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Associationconcludes that heart health is another.

A review of studies

To address the question of how exercise might benefit heart health in this way, researchers did an online search for published articles on studies pertaining to exercise, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure published between January 1985 to June 2002. More than 200 sources were examined and analyzed.

Summary of the research

A review of the studies suggested that exercise can improve heart health in people with diabetes and hypertension by several mechanisms other than blood sugar and blood pressure control. Exercise appears to help the heart and blood vessels function smoothly. Exercise also reduces total body and abdominal fat; this contributes to better blood pressure and blood sugar control and may have cardiovascular benefits as well.

An exercise prescription

Nearly all health professionals are in agreement that exercise should be part of diabetes and hypertension management. According to the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association a general exercise plan should include the following:

• A warm-up and cool down (stretching, calisthenics, slow pace walking or cycling) period for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Aerobic exercise (walking, cycling, swimming, rowing) for 30 to 45 minutes, 3 or 4 times a week, and more often if weight loss is a goal.
• Resistance (weight) training at least twice a week. This should include 8 to 10 exercises to cover the major muscles in the upper and lower body.

Just getting started ?

The American Diabetes Association (see first link below) explains different types of exercise and offers some motivation boosters. For those who prefer the group support of an exercise class, fitness clubs and senior centers often have programs created especially for older people or those who are new to exercise.