You’re going along with life as usual, and generally speaking, you’re feeling pretty good. Hey, if it doesn’t seem like there’s anything wrong, you’re probably okay, right? Although this is probably true most of the time, there are indeed some conditions that can sneak up on a person without them really feeling much different.
High blood pressure can be one of those conditions. In many instances, you’ll feel just fine — until you see your doctor and he or she tells you that your blood pressure is pretty high.
That’s why in today’s post, the team at Medics USA, your go-to source for primary care in Ashburn, Falls Church, and Washington, DC is here to share a bit about what you can do to start lowering your blood pressure. Keep reading to learn more!
How to Start Lowering Your Blood Pressure
First off, we should say that if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you should work with your primary care physician to come up with a plan that works for you. It’s never a bad idea to do your own research, but at the end of the day, the type of treatment you utilize should be discussed with your doctor. Having said that, here are a few common ways to start lowering your blood pressure.
Get Some Exercise
One of the best things you can do to reduce your blood pressure — well, one of the best things you can do in general to take good care of your body — is to get a bit of exercise. This can be a daunting idea if it’s not something that you’re used to, but the good news is that there’s nothing wrong with taking it slow.
Numerous studies have shown that even a little bit of exercise has numerous benefits, and some exercise is always better than none. Whether you prefer to walk around the block or hop on you bike, exercising is something that belongs in your daily routine.
Cut Back on Sodium
If you took the time to add up all of the sodium that you consume on a daily basis, you’d be blown away. This isn’t an indictment of you particularly; instead, this is the case for everyone. Do you ever eat fast food? Do you eat frozen pizzas? As you probably know, there’s a lot of sodium in these dishes.
Cutting back on your sodium intake by preparing your own food, or even cutting back on fast food, can make all the difference in the world. Speaking of which…
Eat the Right Foods
You may have heard of the DASH diet, and the truth is that it’s a good one for people suffering from high blood pressure. So what can you eat? There are a number of delicious things that are also healthy for your heart. Some of these items include flaxseed, fish, whole grains, or even chocolate.
A day that starts with a bowl of steel cut oats, a tablespoon of peanut butter, and a sliced banana doesn’t sound too bad, does it? Top it with some ground flaxseed and it’s a recipe for success! For lunch, enjoy a salad with some shredded chicken and use olive oil in the dressing. For dinner, make salmon and serve some quinoa or brown rice on the side. As long as it’s low in sodium, that’s a day’s worth of food that probably makes your mouth water just thinking about it. A piece of dark chocolate for dessert and you just ate incredibly well without feeling like you were eating only healthy foods!
Find a Primary Care Doctor You Can Count On
There’s no doubt about it — finding a primary care physician that you can see regularly should be at the top of your list of priorities. If it’s been awhile since you’ve been in for an exam, the team at Medics USA would love to see you to help make sure that you’re getting the care you require.
With a philosophy built around tailoring our care to suit the specific needs of our patients, we strive to be the best in the business. We have locations in Ashburn, Falls Church, Dupont Circle, and Columbia Heights, so if you’re in Virginia or DC, contact us today and we’ll send you the new patient forms to fill out. We look forward to hearing from you!