A study has found that just 5 minutes of exercise could lower high blood pressure.

A study in Circulation suggests that spending just a few minutes a day can significantly lower blood pressure.

UCL and the University of Sydney assessed the effects of brief exercise sessions on individuals' blood pressure.

UCL announced that 14,761 individuals from six nations wore activity trackers while carrying out brief physical activities, such as walking, running, cycling, or climbing stairs, as stated in a press release.

The participants slept for about seven hours, engaged in ten hours of sedentary behavior, stood for three hours, walked slowly for one hour, and fast walked for one hour, with only 16 minutes of exercise activities, according to the release.

The researchers found that replacing a less active behavior with five minutes of exercise resulted in "clinically meaningful" improvements in blood pressure.

According to Dr. Jo Blodgett, the lead author of the study from UCL Surgery & Interventional Science and the Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health, the most effective way to lower blood pressure for most individuals is through intense exercise, rather than less demanding forms of physical activity, such as walking.

No matter your physical capabilities, quickly improving blood pressure is achievable.

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"Our exercise variable stands out because it encompasses a wide range of activities, including climbing stairs and short cycling errands, which can easily be incorporated into daily routines."

The researcher found that exercises that put more demand on the cardiovascular system were most beneficial for blood pressure, while walking had some positive effects.

"When we lead lifestyles our bodies weren’t designed for — such as being sedentary or having constant access to high-calorie foods — our health can suffer."

Consistently high blood pressure readings above 140/90 mmHg define hypertension.

The pressure against the artery walls when the heart beats is measured by the first number, systolic blood pressure (SBP), according to UCL.

The second number in a blood pressure reading, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), indicates the pressure exerted on the artery walls when the heart muscle is at rest between beats.

One of the leading causes of death among 1.28 billion adults globally is the condition.

Although there are no symptoms present, hypertension is a significant contributor to heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney damage, and other serious health issues.

The study was conducted by Professor Mark Hamer, joint senior author from UCL Surgery & Interventional Science and the Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health, who stated in the release that previous research in this field has primarily originated from controlled exercise training studies with supervised or prescribed exercise programs.

"These studies, while effective in lowering blood pressure, often result in participants reverting to their sedentary habits after the program ends."

"Our research stands out because we discovered that engaging in daily physical activity in one's natural environment can lead to long-lasting advantages."

According to Ian Del Conde Pozzi, M.D., a cardiologist at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, this study confirms what clinicians and patients have long observed.

Regular exercise can lower blood pressure and improve metabolic health, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke, according to Del Conde Pozzi, who was not involved in the study.

Leading lifestyles that our bodies weren't designed for, such as being sedentary or having constant access to high-calorie foods, can negatively impact our health, according to him.

Engaging in regular physical activity can help the body return to its optimal functioning state, reducing the risk of developing chronic health issues.

Exercise alone may not be enough to resolve hypertension, however.

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The study was supported by the British Heart Foundation.