High blood pressure is a common condition that affects more than a quarter of all adults in the UK. But, you could lower your risk of developing hypertension by simply cleaning or even gardening, it’s been revealed.

High blood pressure – which is also known as hypertension – puts extra stress on blood vessels and vital organs.

The condition could lead to some deadly complications, including strokes and heart attacks.

It could be caused by eating an unhealthy diet, or by not doing enough exercise.

One of the easiest ways to protect against hypertension during the coronavirus lockdown is to clean your home.

Vigorously cleaning your home, or even doing some gardening, may help to lower your blood pressure, according to charity Blood Pressure UK.

They both count towards your weekly moderate-intensity exercise target, as well as climbing your stairs, it added.

Everyone should be aiming for at least 150 minutes of activity every week.

With the UK in lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it may be increasingly difficult to keep active, with gyms and swimming pools closed until further notice.

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But, just because we’re in lockdown, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t keep exercising, said the charity.

“You can take action yourself to lower your blood pressure, by eating less salt, more fruit and vegetables, taking more exercise and being a healthy weight,” said Blood Pressure UK CEO, Katharine Jenner.

She told Express Health: “Even a small, 10mmHg, reduction in systolic blood pressure significantly reduces the risk of major cardiovascular disease events.

“It’s hard to keep up a good exercise regime at the best of times, but we should be aiming for at least 150 minutes of exercise a week and go for anything that gets your heart rate going.

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“On lockdown, you can try jogging, brisk walking, going up and down stairs – even vigorous cleaning and gardening.”

The best types of activities for people with high blood pressure are those that are repetitive and rhythmic, it added.

These types of exercises, which are known as aerobic activities, work all of the main muscle groups in the body.

Walking, jogging, swimming and dancing are all types of aerobic exercise.

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High blood pressure is often known as ‘the silent killer’, because symptoms only tend to reveal themselves if you have extremely high blood pressure.

The most common high blood pressure symptoms include a pounding in your chest, finding blood in your urine, and severe headaches.

It’s crucial that all adults over the age of 40 check their blood pressure at least once every five years.

You can check your blood pressure by visiting your local doctors’ surgery or pharmacy.

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