Key Takeaways

New research shows that shoulder and back stretches can cause an immediate drop in blood pressure without raising heart rate.

Stretching alone only offers short-term effects on blood pressure.

Regular stretching and yoga may help improve arterial stiffness and complement aerobic exercise.

Stretching offers more than flexibility and injury prevention—it can also benefit your heart. Yoga and stretching routines help reduce stress, and new preliminary research suggests that certain shoulder and back stretches may lower blood pressure, which can help you feel calmer.

Previous studies have also linked regular stretching and yoga to a lower risk of high blood pressure and improved arterial stiffness, both of which help protect against heart attack and stroke.

A Drop in Blood

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