Health Science | Have you fallen into the traps of high blood pressure?

May 17, 2024 is the 20th "World Hypertension Day". Hypertension is known as the "silent killer" and often silently damages our health. According to statistics, nearly 1 billion people in the world suffer from hypertension, and many of them do not know that they are ill and have a lot of misunderstandings about the knowledge related to hypertension. So do you really know the following questions?

Misconception 1: Although I have high blood pressure, I don’t have headaches and don’t need to take medicine.

Even if you don't feel it, high blood pressure is still damaging your cardiovascular, kidneys and other organs. If high blood pressure is not treated, it may lead to stroke, myocardial infarction, kidney failure, aortic dissection and other problems.

Misconception 2: I am still so young, and if I take medicine for the rest of my life, my kidneys will be ruined.

As you age, the risk of high blood pressure increases, but statistics show that the prevalence of high blood pressure among residents over 18 years old exceeds 30%, so young people should also be screened for high blood pressure, and if necessary, screen for secondary high blood pressure. And not treating high blood pressure is far more dangerous than the side effects of antihypertensive drugs! There are many safe and effective antihypertensive drugs with mild and reversible side effects. If the antihypertensive drugs you are taking have side effects, you can change the medicine under the guidance of a specialist.

Misconception 3: My blood pressure has returned to normal after taking the medicine, so I don’t need to continue taking the medicine, and it will be lower if I take it again.

Normal blood pressure is the result of drug treatment, because after taking the medicine for a period of time, the blood drug concentration will reach a steady state, achieving the purpose of controlling blood pressure. Stopping the medicine on your own will break this steady state and cause blood pressure to rise again. If it is necessary to stop the medicine, you must strictly follow the doctor's instructions to reduce the dosage and observe.

Misconception 4: Mr. Zhang sees good results from taking this blood pressure medicine, so I’ll take it too.

Everyone has different physiological characteristics, such as weight, age, basic heart rate, preparation for pregnancy, pregnancy, and even underlying diseases. The selection of antihypertensive drugs should be individualized. Do not blindly follow the trend. Improper selection may lead to palpitations, dizziness, gout attacks, fetal malformations, miscarriage and other problems. It is recommended to develop a blood pressure lowering plan under the guidance of a specialist.

Myth 5: Lifestyle management can cure high blood pressure.

Lifestyle management is important, but if hypertension persists after 1 month of lifestyle management, drug treatment should be initiated.

Misconception 6: I use very little salt when cooking, so I won’t get high blood pressure.

Adhering to a healthy lifestyle can delay or even prevent high blood pressure, but high blood pressure also has certain genetic factors. In addition, processed foods such as pickles, canned foods, ham and pickled products are high in salt content.

Misconception 7: Health products and health devices can lower blood pressure.

Currently, there are no health products or health equipment that have a clear blood pressure lowering effect. Simply using health products and health equipment may delay treatment time and endanger health.

As World Hypertension Day approaches, we call on everyone to pay attention to the issue of hypertension, understand their own blood pressure conditions and the dangers of hypertension, and take active measures to prevent and control hypertension, change unhealthy lifestyles, maintain healthy eating habits, control weight, take medications regularly, monitor blood pressure on time, etc., to protect the health of ourselves and our families!