Hypertension is a common disease. Patients need not only the guidance of doctors, but also their own correct understanding of the disease and cooperation with treatment. However, at present, there are many misconceptions that need urgent clarification due to limited time to communicate with doctors and lack of knowledge of hypertension care by patients and family members.
The magic pill to cure hypertension
Once diagnosed, the vast majority of patients with hypertension need to adhere to non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments for life. However, many advertisements claim that a certain drug, high-tech product, health food or health care device can cure hypertension without the need to take antihypertensive drugs. These are all false propaganda, which will affect the standard treatment of hypertension. At present, there is no drug or device that can cure hypertension. No matter where or what media propaganda can cure hypertension “panacea”, are false propaganda, people need to sharpen their eyes.
Blood pressure is not high if there are no symptoms
This is a misconception, because most hypertension is asymptomatic; moreover, people with hypertension are prone to strokes, heart attacks or kidney insufficiency, regardless of discomfort, and even lose their lives. For this reason, the World Health Organization calls hypertension the “silent killer”.
To know your blood pressure level, it is necessary to measure it. For adults older than 18 years old, it is recommended that blood pressure be measured every two years; for people over 35 years old, it is recommended that blood pressure be measured once a year; for people who are prone to hypertension (including: blood pressure of 130 to 139/85 to 89 mmHg, obesity, long-term excessive alcohol consumption, and those with a family history of hypertension), it is recommended that blood pressure be measured once every six months. If there is already high blood pressure, the frequency of measurement should be more diligent.
Hospital blood pressure measurement is more accurate than at home
There is a difference in the results of blood pressure measurements taken in the hospital and at home. Generally, the blood pressure measured in the hospital office is high and tends to overdiagnose hypertension, and the doctor may give some unnecessary medication. Therefore, for diagnosing hypertension and clarifying the effect of taking antihypertensive medications, home blood pressure measurements can be used as a supplement.
Experts recommend measuring at home with an internationally standardized and certified upper-arm electronic blood pressure monitor, and do not recommend wrist or finger blood pressure monitors.
Many people have high blood pressure measured in hospitals but not at home because they are nervous about going to the doctor, which is called “white coat hypertension.
Too early use of drugs later will be ineffective
A part of hypertension patients believe that the use of antihypertensive drugs too early will lead to ineffective drugs later, such as the symptoms are not heavy now do not use drugs, this idea is very dangerous. This is a very dangerous idea because when blood pressure rises, many organs such as heart, brain and kidney will be damaged unknowingly. The earlier the blood pressure is controlled, the more you can prevent the heart, brain and kidneys from being harmed, and the better the long-term prognosis. If you wait until complications arise in these organs, the best time for treatment has been lost.
Medication affects liver and kidney function
The vast majority of antihypertensive drugs are metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys, but this does not mean that there is damage to liver and kidney function. Various drugs have different degrees of adverse effects on the human body, and the performance of adverse reactions can vary due to the different reactivity of each patient.
Some people are afraid to apply antihypertensive drugs because of the fear of adverse reactions. In fact, only a small percentage of people will have adverse reactions to antihypertensive drugs, compared to the serious consequences of hypertension disability and death, the benefits of taking antihypertensive drugs outweigh the disadvantages.
Take antihypertensive drugs based on feelings
Some hypertensive patients use drugs based on their feelings, dizziness to take drugs, dizziness does not take drugs. In fact, it is impossible to feel or estimate the level of blood pressure. The absence of discomfort does not mean that the blood pressure is not high. There is no clear relationship between the level of blood pressure and the severity of symptoms. Patients with hypertension should have their blood pressure measured regularly, for example, at least once a week. It is important not to “follow your feelings”.
Some people stop taking their medication once their blood pressure has dropped to normal, which is a very harmful practice. After stopping the medication, blood pressure will rise again, leading to blood pressure fluctuations and increased damage to the heart, brain, kidneys and other organs.
Only use health products to lower blood pressure
In recent years, there are more and more health food products, and all kinds of propaganda is everywhere. Many health food products claim to have “good blood pressure lowering effect”, but in fact there is no clear blood pressure lowering effect of health food. Unlike drugs, the so-called efficacy of health food products has not been clinically certified by science. Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, so if consumers do not know enough about these products and use them in an improper way, it is easy to produce danger. People with high blood pressure should go to a regular hospital.
Stopping medication before going to the hospital for a review
Some people stop taking antihypertensive drugs before going to the hospital for a review, thinking that blood pressure is measured more realistically after stopping the drugs, which is also a wrong approach. Because antihypertensive treatment is a long-term process, doctors are more concerned about blood pressure levels after taking medication. Therefore, whether or not you go to the hospital, you should take your medication on time.
Long-term use of medication can be resistant to medication
Some people who have been on medication for a period of time, even if there is no discomfort and their blood pressure is stable, are worried about drug resistance and ask for a change of medication, which is not necessary. Unlike antibiotics, antihypertensive drugs are less likely to be resistant to long-term use. Some patients start taking the drugs effectively, but after a period of time, their blood pressure is not as well controlled as before, mostly due to the progression of the disease or other conditions, so you should ask your doctor to add or change antihypertensive drugs according to your individual situation.
Anti-hypertensive treatment with drugs is fine
Some people think that after getting hypertension, as long as they adhere to long-term, regular medication is good; and smoking, drinking, heavy diet and other bad habits are not controlled, which is also a misconception. In fact, drug treatment should be based on a healthy lifestyle, one without the other. Because these factors can cause blood pressure to rise and affect the effect of antihypertensive drugs. The correct approach is that in addition to choosing the appropriate medication, a healthy lifestyle must be adhered to for a long time.