Japanese researchers report that just a small amount of exercise each week can significantly reduce blood pressure in otherwise inactive patients.  They studied 207 sedentary men and women diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure), and prescribed varying amounts of exercise with a health club trainer.  They found that those who engaged in a total of 60-90 minutes of exercise per week lowered their systolic pressure by 12 points and their diastolic pressure by 8 points. ^1,2    The systolic number is the higher number on top (i.e. 120/80…120 = systolic), while the diastolic is the lower number on the bottom.  Get out and enjoy the weather! 

1. American Journal of Hypertension, August 2003.
2. http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/ajh/issues/contents.