Regular exercise is a central part of your program for controlling hypertension (high blood pressure). For most people who have hypertension, a few sessions of moderate physical activity each week will reduce blood pressure significantly and lower the risk of stroke and heart attack. If your blood pressure is just mildly elevated, exercise (along with a healthy diet and lifestyle) may be enough to bring it down to normal. If you need medication, exercise probably will make it more effective, and possibly allow you to take a lower dose.