Heart surgeon explains how aerobic exercise helps to lower blood pressure: ‘Movement is truly medicine…’

By Admin

31 Oct, 2025

Exercise is often touted as the secret to good health   and for good reason. Among various forms of physical activity, aerobic exercise stands out for its profound impact on cardiovascular health. From keeping you agile to burning calories, it also plays a vital role in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Georgia-based cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Jeremy London recently shared insights on Instagram (October 30), emphasizing how consistent aerobic exercise can retrain the vascular system to keep blood vessels relaxed and functioning efficiently.

Movement is Medicine

“As a heart surgeon, I have seen firsthand that movement is truly medicine. And fewer things lower blood pressure more effectively than consistent aerobic exercise,” said Dr. London, highlighting the importance of making movement a part of everyday life.

Aerobic Exercise Retrains Blood Vessels

According to Dr. London, aerobic exercise helps to “retrain” the vascular system   teaching blood vessels and arteries to remain more flexible, relaxed, and responsive. This physiological adaptation improves overall cardiovascular function and reduces the workload on the heart.

He explained that aerobic training lowers systemic vascular resistance, meaning the blood vessels become less constricted, allowing the heart to pump blood more efficiently. Activities such as walking, running, cycling, or swimming stimulate the release of nitric oxide, a powerful vasodilator that relaxes vessel walls and enhances blood flow.

“When you move, walk, run, cycle, or swim, your blood vessels release nitric oxide, which is a powerful vasodilator that relaxes vessel walls and improves blood flow,” Dr. London said.

Over time, this repeated process reprograms the endothelium   the inner lining of arteries   to stay relaxed, elastic, and responsive. In simpler terms, aerobic exercises help build resilient cardiovascular health, allowing blood to flow smoothly and reducing overall pressure on the heart.

Calming the Nervous System

Beyond physical benefits, aerobic exercise also positively impacts the sympathetic nervous system, which governs the body’s stress response. Dr. London noted that regular aerobic activity helps lower stress hormones and enhances the body’s natural ability to relax and recover.

“Aerobic exercise also quiets your sympathetic nervous system, reducing circulating norepinephrine, and it downregulates the renin-angiotensin system, which normally drives vasoconstriction,” he explained.

This means aerobic exercise not only keeps arteries relaxed but also helps manage stress, creating a calm baseline for the body. As a result, individuals who exercise regularly experience lower blood pressure, improved circulation, and better overall heart health.

The Takeaway

Dr. London’s insights reinforce what health experts have long emphasized   aerobic exercise is one of the most effective natural tools for maintaining heart health and managing blood pressure. From brisk walking to swimming, consistent movement keeps the cardiovascular system strong, flexible, and balanced.

However, readers are reminded that this report is based on user-generated social media content. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them. This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.

In short, as Dr. London puts it   “Movement is truly medicine.”