Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, and many don’t even know they have it, according to the American Heart Association. High blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.
Get to know HBP better with these myths and facts:
MYTH 1: You can’t avoid high blood pressure.
FACT: High blood pressure can run in families, but there is plenty you can do to avoid it. Healthy lifestyle changes can help bring you down to normal levels. Eat a healthy diet focused on limited sodium intake and get regular exercise. Also, maintain a healthy weight, avoid smoking and control your stress levels. Some evidence even shows that meditation can lower blood pressure.
MYTH 2: You can stop taking medication when you feel better.
FACT: Never stop taking blood pressure medicine unless your doctor says it’s okay. High blood pressure can lead to strokes and heart problems, among other serious conditions. Taking the right medication can help you limit that risk. The best way to know if your blood pressure is high is to get it checked. It’s quick and pain-free.
MYTH 3: You can tell when you have high blood pressure.
FACT: People cannot reliably predict their blood pressure based on their symptoms. That’s why it’s often called “the silent killer.” That’s also why you get a blood pressure reading at every doctor’s visit. Your typical reading will include both your systolic and diastolic blood numbers.
MYTH 4: I don’t need to check my blood pressure at home.
You may get your blood pressure read when you go to the doctor, but blood pressure can fluctuate. According to the American Heart Association, at-home monitoring can be helpful information for your doctor if you have high blood pressure. Your health care provider may recommend at-home readings to help determine if your treatment plan is working.
MYTH 5: You can limit sodium by not adding salt to food.
FACT: Sodium can have a negative effect on blood pressure. While you should put down the table salt, you also need to read food labels. A lot of sodium is in most packaged foods — whether it seems like it would naturally contain a lot of salt or not. This is just one of the many practical ways to reduce your sodium intake.
More to Read
- The Link Between Anxiety and High Blood Pressure
- Yes, Meditation Can Help Lower Your Blood Pressure
- What Do Your Blood Pressure Numbers Actually Mean?
- How to Keep Your Blood Pressure Under Control
Medically reviewed by Vasundhara Muthu, MD.
