Medical-Fitness Technician
Certification Course
Part B: Exercise & Patho-Physiology (LM:11-24)
Learning Module 11:
Exercise & High Blood Pressure
Study the Learning Module with the Video and take the Quiz.
Learning Objectives 
  • Know the definition and prevalence of high blood pressure.
  • Be aware of some of the medical complications caused by high blood pressure.
  • Understand the relationship between exercise and high blood pressure.
Definition: "Blood Pressure" is the force of circulating blood on the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is determined by measuring the dynamic high and low forces produced by cardiac contractions.
  • Systolic Blood Pressure is detected when the heart beats -- when blood pressure is at its highest.
  • Diastolic Blood Pressure is measured between heart beats -- when blood pressure is at its lowest.
  • Blood pressure is written with the systolic blood pressure first, followed by the diastolic blood pressure (example 120/80).
  • The units of force are mm of mercury -- mmHg.
  • High Blood Pressure (aka: hypertension) is defined as Stage 1 at 130+/80+ and Stage 2 at 140+/90+.
  • Complications from high blood pressure occur in relation to its duration (chronic) and/or severity (crisis).

Complications: Having chronic high blood pressure eventually causes:
  • Damage to the heart and coronary arteries
  • Cardiac Arrhythmias (most often atrial fibrillation)
  • Atherosclerosis (peripheral vascular disease)
  • Angina (chest pain)
  • Heart Attack
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Aortic Aneurysm
  • Aortic Dissection
  • Stroke (brain attack)
  • Kidney damage
  • Retinal damage (vision loss)
  • Dementia (memory loss).
  • Erectile Dysfunction

Prevalence: Having high blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the United States, and many other complications (listed above). In 2021:
  • High blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause of 691,095 deaths (20%) in the United States.
  • Nearly half of adults have hypertension (48%, 120 million), defined as 130+/80+ or are taking BP medication.
  • About half of adults with uncontrolled hypertension have a blood pressure of 140+/90+ (37 million).
  • Only about 1 in 4 adults with high blood pressure have it under control (23%, 27 million).
  • High blood pressure costs the United States about $131 billion each year.
Relationship between Exercise & High Blood Pressure
Conclusion: The more you exercise, the lower your risk for developing high blood pressure. Exercise prevents high blood pressure.