Exercise May Cut Heart Risks of Diabetes, High BP 
October 02, 2002

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Exercise may help cut the substantial risk of cardiovascular problems faced by people with both type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, according to a new report. 

Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure each can have cardiovascular complications such as heart attack and stroke. Making matters worse, many people with type 2 diabetes also have high blood pressure. 

The benefits of exercise for cardiovascular health--as well as in preventing and treating type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure--are well known. But no rigorous trials have looked at whether exercise can help people with diabetes and high blood pressure avoid the cardiovascular consequences of the conditions, according to Dr. Kerry J. Stewart, the author of the new report. 

"Patients with these conditions," Stewart writes, "can be treated with 'gym' therapy, which is low risk and widely available." 

He points out, however, that patients need to check with their doctors before starting an exercise plan....[cautioning that] exercise plans need to be individualized, and people with diabetes and high blood pressure should first get an exercise stress test from their doctors to check their heart health. 

SOURCE: The Journal of the American Medical Association 2002;288:1622-1631. 

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