Is Lifting Weights as Good as Blood Pressure Medicine?

According to a recent study (Oct 2010) resistance training can have similar effects as aerobic exercise on blood pressure. The study was led by Dr. Scott Collier at the College of Health Sciences' Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science at Appalachian State University.

Dr. Collier's team took the participants' pulse (in different part of the body) before and after resistance and aerobic training.

Results
There were several findings reported, but of major interest is that resistance training had a greater effect on lowering blood pressure than aerobic exercise (short term).¹ In fact, Medical News Today reported that it can reduce blood pressure by "20 percent decrease in a person's blood pressure, which is as good as or better than the benefit of taking anti-hypertensive medication" and that "beneficial effects of resistance training continued about 30 minutes after the exercise had ended and as long as 24 hours in individuals who trained for 30-45 minutes three times a week".²

Articles:
[PubMed]: Changes in arterial distensibility and flow-mediated dilation after acute resistance vs. aerobic exercise
[Medical News Today]: Resistance Training Benefits Cardiovascular Health