Blood Pressure: Myths Vs Facts

Some common myths of blood pressure. Learn more…

Thursday, 24th June 2021

According to the 2017 National Family Health Survey, one in eight people in India suffers from high blood pressure. According to the World Health Organization, about 1.13 billion people worldwide suffer from hypertension. Although the prevalence of hypertension is getting higher and higher, people still misunderstand it. Here are some common misconceptions about high blood pressure.

Myth: Hypertension is not serious

Fact: Hypertension is a silent killer. If left untreated, it increases the risk of health problems such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, heart failure, vision loss, sexual dysfunction, and peripheral artery disease. It can cause harm in many ways. For example, over time, your blood pressure will rise, resulting in a decrease in the elasticity of your blood vessels, reducing the amount of blood and oxygen reaching your heart and damaging your organs.

Myth: If you are a family member, there is nothing you can do

Fact: High blood pressure can be inherited in some cases. But this is not inevitable, even for people who may have a genetic predisposition. In addition, the development of this situation is due to lifestyle factors, such as poor diet and lack of exercise. Myth: is inevitable Fact: Hypertension is not inevitable, nor is it a normal part of aging. Although this condition is common in the elderly, hypertension also occurs in middle-aged and young people.

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Myth: If you have high blood pressure, you will show obvious symptoms.

Fact: The only way to detect high blood pressure is to measure your blood pressure. There are usually no signs or symptoms that someone has high blood pressure. Many people don’t even know that they have high blood pressure.

Myth: If you don't eat salt, you don't have to worry about high blood pressure.

Fact: The World Health Organization recommends 5 grams of salt a day to stay healthy. But simply avoiding edible salt is not enough to limit your total salt intake. The other 10 foods that can increase your salt intake include bread, pizza, sandwiches, cold cuts, bacon, soup, tacos, French fries, popcorn, chicken, cheese, and eggs. Sea salt and kosher salt are chemically the same as table salt, so the damage is not small.

Myth: When your blood responds to medications, you can stop taking

Fact: People who take medications for the high blood pressure may find that their blood pressure returns to normal. But this does not mean that you can stop taking the medicine on your own. Follow the doctor's advice and reduce or stop taking the medicine under the doctor's advice.

Myth: High blood pressure can be cured

Fact: High blood pressure cannot be cured, but there are ways to control the condition and reduce its health impact. You can control your blood pressure by reducing your alcohol intake, eating healthy, exercising, controlling stress, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking medication.

Myth: Only men suffer from high blood pressure

Fact: Although men have a higher risk of high blood pressure, everyone can suffer from high blood pressure. We all have a similar risk of high blood pressure.

The News Talkie Bureau

Source:

TimesofIndia Indiatimes