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Myths and Facts About Hypertension or High Blood Pressure

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Myths and Facts About Hypertension or High Blood Pressure

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Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. This article discusses blood pressure and its various misconceptions.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Lekshmipriya. B

Published At November 17, 2013
Reviewed AtMarch 1, 2024

Introduction:

Usually, when the heart beats, the blood is pumped out of the heart to course through the vessels and spread all over the body. The blood pushed out by the heart, in turn, pushes against the sides of the blood vessels. The blood push in the vessel causes pressure on the wall of the vessel. This pressure of blood on the containing vessels is called blood pressure.

What Is Normal Blood Pressure?

Blood vessels are flexible and can widen or constrict to adjust the blood flow, thereby keeping the blood pressure normal despite initiating a problem for a long time. It also helps to keep blood flowing well. The normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg.

When the push of the blood on the vessels becomes too high, or the compliance and the vessels' elasticity are insufficient to contain it, the blood pressure may rise gradually. This is hypertension or high blood pressure. There are several reasons for this.

Blood pressure changes throughout the day and with activity level.

What Can High Blood Pressure Do to People?

High blood pressure is also called hypertension and causes many health-related problems. The patient may have headaches, chest heaviness, sweating, breathlessness, fatigue, or simply feel unwell.

Heart disease and stroke are the most common complications of high blood pressure. So if someone is worried about high blood pressure for a family member, a friend, or even people, they should visit a doctor as soon as possible.

What Are the Common Myths About Hypertension?

Unfortunately, hypertension is surrounded by a large number of myths and misconceptions. Here are a few common misconceptions about hypertension or high blood pressure.

The second misperception is high blood pressure, which cannot be prevented. Some of the relatives may suffer from hypertension. Suppose someone belongs to a group of individuals who are more vulnerable to hypertension. In that case, People might be tempted to believe that there is nothing they can do to control high levels of blood pressure for these or other reasons.

Myth 1 - High and Uncontrolled Blood Pressure Is Not Something to Be Worried About:

  • One of the most problematic facts about high, uncontrolled blood pressure is that one may not notice any symptoms. This makes it difficult for the affected person to get to a doctor to have it checked.

  • The second problem many doctors face is that the patient does not take the issue seriously because there have been no symptoms. Therefore, they do not realize that high blood pressure can cause significant morbidity and mortality.

  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage blood vessels carrying blood to any body part, especially the heart, brain, and kidneys.

  • Consider it a water pipe. When the water in the pipe causes too much pressure on the pipe wall, there will be damage to the pipe, causing rupture and leakage. It is the same with the body.

  • Hypertension is a silent killer.

Myth 2 - High Blood Pressure When It Happens Cannot Be Prevented:

Many, especially the elderly, take blood pressure for granted as a part of the old age syndrome they feel comes with every age. Individuals may have a significant family history of high blood pressure. People may think there's nothing they can do to prevent high blood pressure for one or more reasons. However, it can be prevented.

Some of the easy steps one can take to prevent high blood pressure are:

  • First, maintain a healthy weight by combining healthy eating and regular exercise.

  • Have a well-balanced diet. As previously said, eat a healthy diet with foods high in nutrients and low in fatty substances, sugars, and salt.

  • Limit taking alcohol intake.

  • Avoid tobacco products.

  • Minimize exposure to second hand smoke.

  • Get regular exercise. Exercise 30 minutes daily, as tolerated. It helps control the weight, and it also helps to relieve the stress, which incidentally happens to be another thing people can do to avoid hypertension.

Myth 3 - It Is Fine as Long as One Number Is Normal:

  • Blood pressure has two readings - systolic blood pressure (the number on top) and diastolic blood pressure (the number at the bottom).

  • The systolic blood pressure represents the pressure that the blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels when pumped out by the heart. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure the blood exerts in blood vessels between heartbeats. The systolic pressure rises with age, while the diastolic pressure drops.

  • Normal blood pressure is measured at 120/80 mmHg of mercury. A value of 120 to 139/80-89 is read as pre-hypertension. A value above 140/90 is read as hypertension. Many experts say high diastolic blood pressure can cause more damage than high systolic.

Myth 4 - Treatment Is About Giving Up Favored Foods and Tolerating Serious Side Effects:

While it does take time to individualize a treatment plan, a suitable treatment plan is likely to have the following components;

  • A well-balanced meal plan. Examples are the DASH diet (dietary approaches to stopping hypertension) and the Mediterranean diet. This includes avoiding alcohol and smoking.

  • A well-controlled and healthy weight.

  • Medicines should be followed correctly.

Myth 5 - Many Perceive That Treatment Does Not Work:

  • The patient and the doctor must work longer to get to a good regimen. The patients most commonly skip appointments or simply ignore the medicine.

  • One needs to follow up on the appointments and check one's blood pressure regularly. Besides, skipping medicines will not help control blood pressure.

  • Communicate with the doctor; if an individual feels the doctor has not understood the patient or has been unable to explain themselves, emphasize saying so. Many people are simply too scared of talking to doctors. Others just assume the doctors know what one is suffering from. Effective communication is the key.

Conclusion:

Hypertension is often underestimated, as many myths are associated with this issue. These misconceptions further lead to complications from high blood pressure. People should not believe in myths and be aware of the facts to recognize the seriousness of hypertension and take the necessary action to prevent and treat it as advised by their healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

What Are the Basic Facts About Hypertension?

 
- High blood pressure is over 130/80 mm Hg.
- Hypertension puts one at risk for stroke and heart disorders.
- The rate of high blood pressure varies according to sex and race.
- Even young people can have high blood pressure.
- High blood pressure usually does not show symptoms.
- Many patients are not aware of their high blood pressure states.
- Blood pressure varies with geography.
- Salt and coffee consumption is not etiologic to hypertension.

2.

Why Is High Blood Pressure Referred to as a Curse?

Hypertension is termed the “triple curse” for the African American population due to its high prevalence in them. An equal rise in blood pressure is three times riskier of developing complications in African-Americans than in whites.

3.

What Is the Blood Pressure According to Age and Gender?

 
Males
  - 21 to 25 years: 120/78 mmHg.
- 26 to 30 years: 119/76 mmHg. 
- 31 to 35 years: 114/75 mmHg.
- 36 to 40 years: 120/75 mmHg.
- 41 to 45 years: 115/78 mmHg.
- 46 to 50 years: 119/80 mmHg.
- 51 to 55 years: 125/80 mmHg.
- 56 to 60 years: 129/79 mmHg.
- 61 to 65 years: 143/76 mmHg.
 
Females
- 21 to 25 years: 115/70 mmHg.
- 26 to 30 years: 113/71 mmHg.
- 31 to 35 years: 110/72 mmHg.
- 36 to 40 years: 112/74 mmHg.
- 41 to 45 years: 116/73 mmHg.
- 46 to 50 years: 124/78 mmHg.
- 51 to 55 years: 122/74 mmHg.
- 56 to 60 years: 132/78 mmHg.
- 61 to 65 years: 130/77 mmHg.

4.

How Is Blood Pressure Related to Hypertension?

High blood pressure is a temporary state arising from various factors when the blood exerts greater than normal pressure on the arterial walls. This may be a transient state arising from strenuous activities or exercises. A persistent high-pressure state over a long period of time gives rise to a pathologic condition, hypertension. Hypertension requires lifestyle modification, monitoring, and pharmacological intervention.

5.

When Is the Blood Pressure Highest in a Day?

Blood pressure typically starts rising a few hours before rising up in the morning, continues to rise through the day, and gradually drops through the evening. The blood pressure is at its highest, typically around midday.

6.

Why Does Blood Pressure Rise Suddenly?

 
Certain factors or conditions can result in a sudden spike in blood pressure like:
- Caffeine.
- NSAIDs drugs.
- Cocaine.
- Adrenal gland overactivity
- Smoking.
- Stress.
- Anxiety.
- Overactive thyroid.

7.

What Does a Blood Pressure Reading of 150/90 Indicate?

A consistent blood pressure reading of around 150/90 is indicative of systemic hypertension. One must consult a physician to diagnose and formulate a proper treatment plan along with lifestyle modifications to bring down the blood pressure to normal readings of around 120/80.

8.

What Does Stroke Blood Pressure Refer To?

Stroke blood pressure or a hypertensive crisis is a sudden severe increase in blood pressure that can lead to medical emergencies. Such a state is induced by a blood pressure greater than 180/120 mm Hg.

9.

How Is Coffee Related to High Blood Pressure?

Caffeine, a component of coffee, is a vasoconstrictor that essentially constricts the diameter of the blood vessels. Constricted vessels experience greater pressure from the circulating blood, which is recorded as a high reading on the sphygmomanometer.

10.

How to Decrease Blood Pressure Within Five Minutes?

To decrease blood pressure in a short time, one should lie down and take deep breaths, which can lower the heart rate and decrease the blood pressure.

11.

What Food Items Can Manage Blood Pressure?

 
Certain food items, when included in the diet, can aid in managing blood pressure like:
- Citrus foods.
- Salmon.
- Fatty fish.
- Swiss chard.
- Pumpkin seeds.
- Beans and lentils.
- Berries.
- Amaranth.
- Pistachios.
- Carrots.
- Celery.
- Tomatoes.
- Broccoli.
- Greek yogurt.
- Herbs and spices.
- Chia and flax seeds.
- Beets.
- Spinach.

12.

How Does Sugar Affect Blood Pressure?

Sugary diet results in the production of nitric oxide (NO) by the inner layer of cells of blood vessels which has a vasodilation action. A decrease in NO level in the blood can cause vasoconstriction resulting in higher blood pressure.

13.

Which Fruit Is Best In a Hypertensive Diet?

Berries are the best food item to be included in the diet due to their antioxidant properties, which aid in lowering blood pressure.

14.

How Does Spicy Food Affect Blood Pressure?

According to studies, a diet consisting of spicy food contained less sodium resulting in lower blood pressure than their counterparts. Spicy food contain capsaicin which has an inverse effect on blood pressure.

15.

What Is a Silent Killer Disease?

Hypertension is called a “silent killer” as the disease does not show obvious symptoms but carries a huge risk of complications, including stroke and cardiovascular diseases.
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Dr. Saumya Mittal
Dr. Saumya Mittal

Internal Medicine

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