Exercise may lower blood pressure in people with diabetes
Last updated May 16, 2026
Key finding
Exercise may help lower blood pressure in type 2 diabetes, but results vary between people.
This review looked at 6 studies with 1,112 adults with diabetes to see if exercise helps lower blood pressure. Most participants were between 53 and 62 years old and had type 2 diabetes. The studies tested different types of exercise including walking, jogging, cycling, and strength training over 3 to 12 months. Overall, exercise helped lower both top and bottom blood pressure numbers. The effect was small for the top number and moderate for the bottom number. However, results varied widely between studies. This suggests that benefits may depend on the type of exercise, how often you do it, and individual differences. Regular exercise appears to help with blood pressure in people with diabetes, but effects may not be the same for everyone.
Quick read
Study at a glance
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EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
Systematic Review
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
What this paper says
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
Exercise may help lower blood pressure in type 2 diabetes, but results vary between people.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Adekunle H, Balogun O. Exercise Intervention for Blood Pressure Reduction in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2026;18(2):e104244. doi:10.7759/cureus.104244
Main Effects
Blood pressure (bottom number) → ↓ (moderate improvement)
Blood pressure (top number) → ↓ (small improvement)
Evidence Suggest
- Exercise appears to help lower blood pressure in adults with diabetes, with the bottom number showing more improvement than the top number.
- The benefit was seen across multiple studies, though the size of improvement varied widely.
- Results are not consistent, suggesting benefits may depend on exercise type, intensity, and individual factors.
Who this applies to
Adults with type 2 diabetes who have high blood pressure, especially those aged 40 and older who can participate in structured exercise programs.
Keep in Mind
Only six studies were analyzed, limiting confidence that these findings apply broadly to all people with diabetes.
Between the Lines
- Only six studies included in review
- Results varied widely across different studies
- Possible bias from unpublished negative results
- Mostly studied people with type 2 diabetes
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