What is the recommended duration of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for patients managing hypertension?

The recommended duration of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for patients managing hypertension is 30 minutes daily. Engaging in this level of exercise has been shown to provide significant cardiovascular benefits, including the reduction of blood pressure and improvement of overall heart health.

Regular physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise, helps improve heart function, reduce stress levels, and facilitate weight management—all critical factors in managing hypertension. The 30-minute guideline aligns with public health recommendations, which emphasize that accumulating this amount of exercise most days of the week can lead to better health outcomes.

For patients with hypertension, consistency and duration are vital to achieving these benefits, which is why this level of activity is emphasized. A shorter duration, such as 15 minutes, may not provide sufficient cardiovascular conditioning, while longer durations, such as 1 hour or 45 minutes, might not always be feasible or necessary for effective hypertension management. Thus, 30 minutes strikes a practical balance for most individuals.