If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it’s likely that your doctor has already prescribed you a medication to help bring your numbers down. When you get your prescription filled at Columbia Hickory Pharmacy, the best pharmacy in Columbia, MD, the friendly and knowledgeable pharmacists will assist you with any questions you might have.

In addition to taking medication, there are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your blood pressure and your risk of heart disease. Here are four ways you can control your blood pressure:

Exercise Regularly

According to the Mayo Clinic, exercising for at least 30 minutes daily can lower your blood pressure by up to 9 mm Hg. But the key is consistency: If you stop exercising, your blood pressure can rise again. If you have high blood pressure, the best exercise you can do is walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, or dancing. If you don’t currently exercise, start by walking in three 10-minute segments throughout the day.

Get On The DASH Diet

One of the best ways to keep your blood pressure in check is to maintain a healthy weight. To lower your blood pressure, try following the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. This diet includes eating more fruits, veggies, low-fat dairy foods, whole-grain foods, and nuts. It also includes cutting back on foods that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol and limiting sodium, sweets, sugary drinks, and red meat.

Manage Your Stress

Whether it’s your work, family, or finances, stress can take a toll on your body. When you’re stressed, you are more likely to eat unhealthy food, drink alcohol, and smoke cigarettes; all of these activities can cause high blood pressure. If you have chronic stress, think about ways you can better cope with it, such as writing in a gratitude journal or practicing meditation or yoga. Even just taking slow, deep breaths can lower your blood pressure. 

It’s important to make sure you get support from friends and family who can help you improve your health. At Columbia Hickory Pharmacy, the pharmacists do more than fill prescriptions. They are also available for pharmacy consulting and home medical equipment repairs. For more information about Columbia Hickory Pharmacy, visit the website or call them at (410) 964-6409