ABSTRACT
Regular physical activity confers a number of health bene ts. Physically active individuals have lower incidence of coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancers, and obesity. Physical activity is known to reduce the incidence and prevalence of hypertension and to lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Given that only less than half of the U.S. population meets the federal guidelines for physical activity [1], it is no surprise that approximately 30% of the U.S. population has high BP [2]. This chapter reviews the evidence linking regular physical activity and lowering of BP, provides an overview of potential mechanisms for the association, clari es recommendations on physical activity for controlling BP, and identi es interventions and policies
5.1 De nitions of Physical Activity ......................................................................84 5.2 Current Physical Activity Guidelines and Recommendations .......................85
