Everyone is able to manage and control their blood pressure if it is properly understood. Here are a few common misconceptions about hypertension.
Myth number one.
There is no way to prevent high blood pressure
Many people will think that if a family member or close relative has high blood pressure, no matter what I do, I will get it sooner or later.
It’s true that hypertension has a genetic predisposition, and if a parent or close relative has had hypertension, then you are more likely to have it compared to others, but just because you are at greater risk doesn’t mean you will definitely get it.
A healthy lifestyle, while not guaranteed to keep you 100 percent safe from high blood pressure, can reduce your risk of developing it.
Healthy eating habits, especially important is a low salt diet;
Regular physical activity;
Overweight people should lose weight;
Learn to relieve stress;
Stop smoking;
Limit alcohol.
Misconception two.
Low-salt diet means less salt in stir-fry
Putting less salt in stir-fry is only one aspect of a low-salt diet.
In addition to this, in other areas, we should also pay attention.
For example.
Pay attention to other condiments high in salt, such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, etc. ;
Eat less pickled foods ;
When buying snacks also pay attention to the sodium content in them.
Misconception three.
High blood pressure, no symptoms do not care
High blood pressure, if left uncontrolled or poorly controlled, can damage blood vessels throughout the body, leading to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, abnormal kidney function and other health problems.
Once you wait for various symptoms to appear and then control, you may have already caused damage to your health and missed the best time to control hypertension.
Misconception four.
Hypertension is only high if you have symptoms
Hypertension in the early stages, many people can have no symptoms.
The awareness rate of hypertension (i.e., people with hypertension know they have hypertension) is only about 50% in China.
Previously, hypertension was called the “silent killer” because it can gradually destroy the body’s arteries, heart and other organs without any symptoms. Once symptoms appear, it is a life-threatening emergency such as a heart attack or stroke.
Misconception five.
Wine is good for the heart, drink as much as you want
In fact, there is still academic controversy about whether wine is good for the heart. But the risks associated with excessive alcohol intake are certain.
Therefore, if you have high blood pressure, try to give up alcohol if you can. If you can’t quit, drink small amounts of alcohol, whether it’s wine, beer, or liquor.
Misconception six.
It is enough for the doctor to measure my blood pressure
Under normal conditions, a person’s blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day, and the fluctuations are more pronounced in people with high blood pressure.
In the hospital, the doctor will take the blood pressure only for a moment. Monitoring and recording at home can better reflect the changes in blood pressure, and showing the data to the doctor at the time of the visit can provide better information to the doctor.
This is especially true for people with hypertension who have just started treatment. Blood pressure at home can help the doctor determine if the current treatment plan is appropriate.
Myth #7.
If your blood pressure is normal, you can stop taking your medication
Essential hypertension cannot be cured, and the vast majority of people with hypertension need to take medication for life.
Normal blood pressure is the result of medication control, not a cure for hypertension. Once the medication is stopped, blood pressure is likely to rebound, and some medications can cause severe withdrawal reactions.
So even if your blood pressure has been stable for a long time, don’t just stop taking your medication on your own, ask your doctor first. Reduce the amount of medication under the guidance of your doctor, while strictly monitoring your blood pressure and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.