Hypertension- Misconceptions
5 Misconceptions About High Blood Pressure
Are you worried about high bp in yourself, a family member, or a friend? Your concern is well-founded. If left untreated, high bp- also called hypertension - can lead to a range of health problems, including heart disease and stroke.
Here are five common misconceptions about high bp.
1st Misconception Is That High BP Isn't a Big Deal
Early on, you may not notice symptoms of high bp, so you may not be too concerned. However, in the long run high bp can kill you. Normally, your heart beats regularly, pumping blood through the vessels all over your body. As the blood is pushed by the heartbeat, the blood in turn pushes against the sides of your blood vessels. Blood vessels are flexible and can widen or constrict as needed to keep blood flowing well. For a variety of reasons, your blood may begin to push too hard against the blood vessels. This is high bp.
High bp can lead to damage of your blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and other organs in your body. Heart disease and stroke, both caused by high bp, are the first and third leading causes of death in the U.S.
The scary thing about high bp is that you may have it without even knowing it. That's why doctors often call high bp the "silent killer."
Second Misconception Is That High Blood Pressure Can't Be Prevented
Perhaps you have other relatives with high bp. Maybe you're a member of a group of people who are at greater risk. For these or other reasons, you may be tempted to think that there's nothing you can do about high bp.
Here is some good news about high bp:
Even if you have many risk factors, there are steps you can take to prevent high bp:
• Keep your weight at a healthy level. You can accomplish this by a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise.
• Eat a healthy diet. This includes eating only the amount of food your body needs and choosing foods high in nutrients and low in fat, sugar, and salt.
• Limit how much salt you eat. Most of the sodium you eat is in the form of salt. It may be salt that you add at the table or salt added to processed foods you consume.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink.
• Don't smoke tobacco, and minimize your exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Get regular exercise. Try to get at least 30 minutes of activity each day. Exercise relieves stress and helps you control your weight.
• Don't let stress build up. The chemicals your body makes in response to stress make your heart beat harder and faster and your blood vessels tighten. All this makes blood pressure higher.
Third Misconception About High Blood Pressure: It's OK As Long As One Number Is Normal
You may notice that when your doctor measures your bp, the reading includes two numbers, one written on top of the other. These numbers can be confusing. The top number is called your systolic bp. This number represents the force of blood through your blood vessels during your heartbeat.
• 119 or below is normal systolic blood pressure
• 120-139 is prehypertension
• 140 and greater is high blood pressure
The bottom number is called your diastolic bp. This number represents the force of blood through your blood vessels in between heartbeats, while your heart is resting.
• 79 or below is normal diastolic bp
• 80-89 is prehypertension
• 90 and greater is hypertension
Many people pay more attention to the systolic rate than the diastolic, but experts say that the heart can tolerate a high top (systolic) number better than a high bottom (diastolic) number.
Bp does change throughout the day, depending on your activities. Bp changes over time, as well. Systolic bp tends to rise as you get older. Diastolic bp may decrease as you get older.
Fourth Misconception About High Blood Pressure Is About Treatment
Give up your favorite foods. Take drugs with annoying side effects. These are some things you might fear when you think about high blood pressure treatment.
It is true that it may take some time to develop a treatment plan that works best for you, because high blood pressure often has several underlying causes. In many cases, the specific cause of high bp may not be evident.
Your doctor will work closely with you to determine which combination of treatments works to best control high blood pressure. Your treatment plan is likely to include the following elements:
The DASH eating plan.
Weight Control.
Fourth Misconception About High Blood Pressure Is About Treatment continued...
No smoking.
Medication- Your doctor is likely to prescribe medication to control your high blood pressure.
Fifth Misconception About High Blood Pressure: Treatment Doesn't Work
In fact, if you work with your doctor to develop a comprehensive program for managing your high bp, that plan can work. To maximize the benefits of your plan, follow these steps:
• Check your bp as often as recommended by your doctor.
• Follow your treatment plan consistently. Let your doctor know right away if you have problems with parts of the plan. Your doctor may refer you to other health care professionals who can help.
• See your doctor as often as requested. Bring your bp records to show your doctor how the plan is working.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about medication side effects. Know when to call your doctor if there is a problem.
Learning about high bp and how it can harm your health is the first step in controlling this condition -- so you can remain healthy for years to come. more
Are you worried about high bp in yourself, a family member, or a friend? Your concern is well-founded. If left untreated, high bp- also called hypertension - can lead to a range of health problems, including heart disease and stroke.
Here are five common misconceptions about high bp.
1st Misconception Is That High BP Isn't a Big Deal
Early on, you may not notice symptoms of high bp, so you may not be too concerned. However, in the long run high bp can kill you. Normally, your heart beats regularly, pumping blood through the vessels all over your body. As the blood is pushed by the heartbeat, the blood in turn pushes against the sides of your blood vessels. Blood vessels are flexible and can widen or constrict as needed to keep blood flowing well. For a variety of reasons, your blood may begin to push too hard against the blood vessels. This is high bp.
High bp can lead to damage of your blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and other organs in your body. Heart disease and stroke, both caused by high bp, are the first and third leading causes of death in the U.S.
The scary thing about high bp is that you may have it without even knowing it. That's why doctors often call high bp the "silent killer."
Second Misconception Is That High Blood Pressure Can't Be Prevented
Perhaps you have other relatives with high bp. Maybe you're a member of a group of people who are at greater risk. For these or other reasons, you may be tempted to think that there's nothing you can do about high bp.
Here is some good news about high bp:
Even if you have many risk factors, there are steps you can take to prevent high bp:
• Keep your weight at a healthy level. You can accomplish this by a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise.
• Eat a healthy diet. This includes eating only the amount of food your body needs and choosing foods high in nutrients and low in fat, sugar, and salt.
• Limit how much salt you eat. Most of the sodium you eat is in the form of salt. It may be salt that you add at the table or salt added to processed foods you consume.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink.
• Don't smoke tobacco, and minimize your exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Get regular exercise. Try to get at least 30 minutes of activity each day. Exercise relieves stress and helps you control your weight.
• Don't let stress build up. The chemicals your body makes in response to stress make your heart beat harder and faster and your blood vessels tighten. All this makes blood pressure higher.
Third Misconception About High Blood Pressure: It's OK As Long As One Number Is Normal
You may notice that when your doctor measures your bp, the reading includes two numbers, one written on top of the other. These numbers can be confusing. The top number is called your systolic bp. This number represents the force of blood through your blood vessels during your heartbeat.
• 119 or below is normal systolic blood pressure
• 120-139 is prehypertension
• 140 and greater is high blood pressure
The bottom number is called your diastolic bp. This number represents the force of blood through your blood vessels in between heartbeats, while your heart is resting.
• 79 or below is normal diastolic bp
• 80-89 is prehypertension
• 90 and greater is hypertension
Many people pay more attention to the systolic rate than the diastolic, but experts say that the heart can tolerate a high top (systolic) number better than a high bottom (diastolic) number.
Bp does change throughout the day, depending on your activities. Bp changes over time, as well. Systolic bp tends to rise as you get older. Diastolic bp may decrease as you get older.
Fourth Misconception About High Blood Pressure Is About Treatment
Give up your favorite foods. Take drugs with annoying side effects. These are some things you might fear when you think about high blood pressure treatment.
It is true that it may take some time to develop a treatment plan that works best for you, because high blood pressure often has several underlying causes. In many cases, the specific cause of high bp may not be evident.
Your doctor will work closely with you to determine which combination of treatments works to best control high blood pressure. Your treatment plan is likely to include the following elements:
The DASH eating plan.
Weight Control.
Fourth Misconception About High Blood Pressure Is About Treatment continued...
No smoking.
Medication- Your doctor is likely to prescribe medication to control your high blood pressure.
Fifth Misconception About High Blood Pressure: Treatment Doesn't Work
In fact, if you work with your doctor to develop a comprehensive program for managing your high bp, that plan can work. To maximize the benefits of your plan, follow these steps:
• Check your bp as often as recommended by your doctor.
• Follow your treatment plan consistently. Let your doctor know right away if you have problems with parts of the plan. Your doctor may refer you to other health care professionals who can help.
• See your doctor as often as requested. Bring your bp records to show your doctor how the plan is working.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about medication side effects. Know when to call your doctor if there is a problem.
Learning about high bp and how it can harm your health is the first step in controlling this condition -- so you can remain healthy for years to come. more
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