From the Guidelines
Patients with controlled diabetes and benign hypertension can safely engage in moderate aerobic exercises like walking, swimming, cycling, and water aerobics, as well as light to moderate resistance training, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity spread throughout the week, combined with 2-3 sessions of resistance training, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1.
Key Recommendations
- Before starting any exercise program, patients should consult their healthcare provider for personalized recommendations, especially if taking insulin or sulfonylureas, to prevent hypoglycemia 1.
- Patients should monitor blood glucose before and after exercise and carry fast-acting carbohydrates like glucose tablets during exercise 1.
- For hypertension management, patients should avoid high-intensity activities that cause blood pressure spikes, such as heavy weightlifting 1.
- Regular physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity, enhance cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and maintain weight control 1.
Important Considerations
- Patients should start slowly and gradually increase intensity, stay well-hydrated, wear proper footwear, and be mindful of any symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, or unusual shortness of breath, which warrant immediate medical attention 1.
- Daily exercise, or at least not allowing more than 2 days to elapse between exercise sessions, is recommended to decrease insulin resistance, regardless of diabetes type 1.
- Aerobic activity bouts should last at least 10 min, with the goal of 30 min/day or more most days of the week for adults with type 2 diabetes 1.
From the Research
Physical Activity for Patients with Controlled Diabetes and Benign Hypertension
- Patients with controlled diabetes and benign hypertension can participate in various physical activities to manage their conditions 2.
- Aerobic exercises, such as brisk walking, are recommended for at least 30 minutes on at least 3 days of the week, or resistance exercises on 2-3 days of the week 2.
- Regular exercise can help reduce blood pressure, with a decrease of 5 mmHg in systolic blood pressure associated with a 9% decrease in mortality due to coronary heart disease, 14% decrease in mortality due to stroke, and 7% decrease in all-cause mortality 2.
- Physical activity can also help manage diabetes, with regular exercise shown to improve glycemic control and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease 3, 4.
- Patients with diabetes and hypertension should aim to incorporate lifestyle measures such as regular physical activity, salt restriction, weight reduction, and smoking cessation into their management plan 4.
Types of Physical Activity
- Aerobic exercises, such as:
- Brisk walking
- Jogging
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Resistance exercises, such as:
- Weight training
- Bodyweight exercises
- Resistance band exercises
- Other physical activities, such as:
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Dancing