Tai chi reduces blood pressure compared to aerobic exercise

Tai Chi: A Traditional Chinese Martial Art for Increasing Balance, Balance, and Boosting Memory in People with Prehypertension

Tai chi, a traditional, slow-moving form of Chinese martial art, is known to increase flexibility and improve balance. The research shows that it is better than more vigorous aerobic exercises for lowering blood pressure in people with prehypertension.

Prehypertension isn’t high blood pressure, but is higher than normal and doesn’t go to the level of hypertension. It’s considered a warning sign that heart disease may be ahead, and it raises the risk of having a heart attack.

“I think the beauty of tai chi is that you don’t have to have a gym membership or something like that because it’s free,” Taylor-Piliae says. Once you become a tai chi student, you’re able to do it anywhere. And it does kind of provide that calming, relaxing” effect.

Evidence suggests it can also help protect against cognitive decline and even boost memory. But you have to practice it consistently to reap the most benefit.

According to a study, tai chi can lower blood pressure in people with prehypertension, a condition that is considered a warning sign of heart diseases. The study showed that tai chi was better than more vigorous aerobic exercises for lowering blood pressure in people with prehypertension. Prehypertension is higher than normal and doesn’t go to the level of hypertension.