5 Myths About High Blood Pressure ✔

• 1. High blood pressure isn't a big deal ❌

Without treatment, high blood pressure can increase the risk of a range of health issues, including heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, heart failure, angina, vision loss, sexual dysfunction, and peripheral artery disease.

• 2. High blood pressure runs in my family. There is nothing I can do to prevent it ❌

If your parents or close blood relatives have had high blood pressure, you are more likely to develop it, too. Even if you have many risk factors, there are steps you can take to prevent high blood pressure. Often, the condition develops due to lifestyle factors, such as diet, which genes do not influence.

• 3. I would notice symptoms if I had hypertension ❌

The scary thing about high blood pressure is that you may have it without even knowing it. That's why doctors often call high blood pressure the "silent killer." In the U.S., around 75 million people currently have hypertension. Of these, an estimated 11 million people do not know that they have it.

• 4. I don’t use table salt, so I’m in control of my sodium intake and my blood pressure ❌

The WHO recommend consuming under 5 grams of saltTrusted Source each day to help maintain a healthy blood pressure. But controlling sodium means more than just putting down the salt shaker. It also means checking labels, because up to 75 percent of the sodium we consume is hidden in processed foods like tomato sauce, soups, condiments, canned foods and prepared mixes. When buying prepared and prepackaged foods, read the labels. 

• 5. Treatment doesn't work ❌

In fact, if you work with your doctor to develop a comprehensive program for managing your high blood pressure, that plan can work. To maximize the benefits of your plan, follow these steps:
- Check your blood pressure.
- Follow your treatment plan consistently. Let your doctor know right away if you have problems with parts of the plan.
- Bring your blood pressure records to show your doctor how the plan is working.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about medication side effects.
- Reduce how much salt you take in.

Learning about high blood pressure and how it can harm your health is the first step in controlling this condition so you can remain healthy for years to come.

Sources: webmd, medicalnewstoday