Reviewers: Kuang Zemin (Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University), Huang Zhaoqi (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University)
Are you concerned about high blood pressure in yourself, a family member, or a friend? Your concerns are justified.
Untreated, high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) can cause a range of health problems, including heart disease and stroke. Learning more about high blood pressure can help you prevent the disease from taking a toll on your health and that of your loved ones.
You can start by learning what the disease is and what it is. Here are 5 common myths about high blood pressure.
Myth 1: High blood pressure is not a big deal
You may not notice the symptoms of high blood pressure early on, so you may not be too concerned. However, high blood pressure can be fatal in the long run. Normally, your heart beats regularly, pumping blood through the blood vessels throughout your body.
As the beating of the heart pushes the blood forward, the blood is also pushing against the walls of the surrounding blood vessels. Blood vessels are elastic and can expand or contract as needed to keep blood flowing smoothly.
For various reasons, the blood begins to put too much pressure on the blood vessels. This is called high blood pressure, which can make the arteries harden over time. This is how high blood pressure starts.
High blood pressure can cause damage to blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and other organs in the body. Heart disease and stroke, both caused by high blood pressure, are the first and fifth leading causes of death in the United States, respectively.
The scary thing about high blood pressure is that it can come to you before you know it. That’s why doctors often call high blood pressure the “silent killer.” Medical professionals agree: high blood pressure is a big deal.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
Myth 2: High blood pressure cannot be prevented
Perhaps other relatives of yours have high blood pressure, or you may be part of a high-risk group. For these or other reasons, there may be little you can do about high blood pressure.
Luckily, even if you have many risk factors, there are a few things you can do to prevent high blood pressure:
Keep your weight at a healthy level. You can do this by combining a healthy diet with regular exercise.
Eat healthy. Eat no more than your body needs, and choose foods that are high in nutrients, low in fat, sugar, and salt.
Limit salt. Most of the sodium you eat is in the form of salt. It could be the salt you add to your meal, or it could come from the salt in the processed food you buy.
Limit alcohol intake.
Do not smoke and minimize exposure to secondhand smoke.
Exercise regularly. Try to be active for at least 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. Exercise reduces stress and helps you manage your weight.
Don’t build up stress. The chemicals your body produces in response to stress can make your heart beat faster and your blood vessels narrow. These can raise blood pressure.
Ask your doctor for advice on high blood pressure and how to prevent it. Your doctor may refer you to other medical professionals who can help.
Myth 3: As long as one blood pressure value is normal
You may notice that when your doctor measures your blood pressure, the blood pressure reading consists of two numbers, one written before the other.
These numbers can be confusing. The number in front is your systolic blood pressure, which represents the pressure of blood flowing through your blood vessels when your heart contracts.
119 or less is normal systolic blood pressure
120-139 is considered elevated blood pressure
140 and above is high blood pressure
The number after
is your diastolic blood pressure. This number represents the pressure created by the flow of blood through the blood vessels between heartbeats when the heart is resting.
79 or less is normal diastolic blood pressure
90 and above is high blood pressure
Many people focus more on systolic blood pressure than diastolic blood pressure, but experts say the heart can better tolerate high pressures (systolic) and lower pressures (diastolic) Poor sex. However, the risk of heart disease, especially stroke, increases with age, and systolic blood pressure tends to be more significant.
Depending on your activity, blood pressure changes throughout the day, and it also changes over time. Systolic blood pressure tends to increase with age, and diastolic blood pressure may decrease with age.
If your blood pressure is chronically higher than normal, you need to take immediate action. You and your doctor can develop a plan to treat high blood pressure or prehypertension before your organs are damaged.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
Myth 4: About Treatment
Giving up your favorite foods and taking medications with side effects are things you might worry about when thinking about high blood pressure treatment. Indeed, it may take some time to develop a treatment plan that will work best for you, as high blood pressure often has multiple underlying causes. In many cases, the exact cause of high blood pressure may not be known.
Your doctor will work closely with you to determine which combination of treatments will best control high blood pressure. Your treatment plan may include the following:
Dietary Therapy for Hypertension Control (DASH) Program
Dietary therapy for controlling high blood pressure (DASH) plans include eating less fat and saturated fat, and more fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Limiting salt and alcohol intake can also help reduce high blood pressure. A nutritionist can help you find ways to achieve these goals without giving up your favorite foods or delicious foods.
Control your weight
Being overweight increases the risk of high blood pressure. Following the DASH diet plan and exercising regularly can help you lose weight. Ask your doctor to help you identify a goal. Your doctor may also refer you to other medical professionals for help in developing a weight loss plan.
Reduce alcohol intake
Alcohol can also raise blood pressure, especially if you drink too much. It is necessary to reduce or stop drinking alcohol.
No smoking
Tobacco smoke can raise blood pressure and can directly damage your heart and blood vessels. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking.
Medication
Your doctor may give you medication to control high blood pressure. More than one drug is usually needed to treat high blood pressure. Your doctor will ask you to switch medications or change your dose until you find a combination that has the fewest side effects and the best blood pressure.
Medications used to treat high blood pressure
Diuretics, which reduce the amount of fluid in the blood by helping the body remove excess sodium.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, alpha-blockers, and calcium channel blockers help keep your blood vessels from constricting.
Beta-blockers stop the body from producing adrenaline. Adrenaline is a stress hormone that makes your heart beat harder and faster. Adrenaline also tightens your blood vessels. All of these can raise blood pressure. These drugs can slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
Myth 5: Treatment doesn’t work
In fact, a comprehensive plan to manage high blood pressure can work if you work with your doctor to develop it. To get the most out of this program, follow these steps:
Check your blood pressure as often as your doctor recommends.
Consistently follow the treatment plan. If you have problems with some of the plans, notify your doctor right away, who may also refer you to other medical professionals who can help.
Revisit frequently as required. Bring your blood pressure record so your doctor can judge how well your plan is performing.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about drug side effects. Know when to call your doctor if something goes wrong.
Reduce your salt intake.
Understanding high blood pressure and its health risks is the first step in managing high blood pressure so you can stay healthy for years to come.
*The content of this article is for the popularization of health knowledge. It cannot be used as a specific diagnosis and treatment recommendation, nor can it replace the face-to-face consultation of a licensed physician. It is for reference only.
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