About 50 million Americans suffer from hypertension - a condition that increases the risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily controlled in most cases once a person knows they have it. But myths abound about who needs treatment and how to best treat it. Here's the truth about five of the most common high blood pressure myths.
High Blood Pressure Causes a Headache
How many times have you heard someone say, "I have a headache. It must be my blood pressure". The truth is high blood pressure rarely causes symptoms unless blood pressures are very high. When blood pressures rise high enough to cause obvious symptoms, it's known as a hypertensive crisis and a person usually has throbbing head pain, difficulty seeing, problems breathing, chest pain and confusion. This is a medical emergency. But the majority of Americans with hypertension are completely symptom-free - until they have a stroke or heart attack. That's why it's important to get a regular blood pressure check. You can have it and not know it.
Put Down the Salt Shaker to Reduce Blood Pressure
Some people have salt-sensitive hypertension where they experience substantial increases in blood pressure when they eat a high-sodium diet - but the majority of people with high blood pressure don't have the salt-dependent kind. Even people without sodium-dependent hypertension can have blood pressure elevations when they take in too much sodium, but the rise is less pronounced.
It's still important to reduce sodium if you have hypertension of any kind - but not shaking the salt shaker will have less of an impact than cutting back on processed and packaged foods. They're the major source of sodium in the American diet. It's also a good idea to increase the amount of potassium in your diet to balance out the sodium.
If Your Mom or Dad Had Hypertension You're Destined to Get It Too
High blood pressure runs in families, but lifestyle changes can help delay it - or even prevent it. Don't smoke, exercise regularly, eat more fruits and vegetables, lose weight if you're overweight - and find some better ways to deal with stress. These lifestyle changes will go a long way towards keeping you off of blood pressure medications.
If You Have One Elevated Reading, You Have Hypertension
Another common blood pressure myth is that a single high reading means you have high blood pressure. Blood pressure can rise for many reasons - anxiety, lack of sleep and illness can all cause transient blood pressure elevations. Some people have "white coat hypertension" where their blood pressure rises only when they're in a doctor's office. Don't label yourself as hypertensive until you've had at least three high readings in a row.
The Bottom Number is More Important than the Top One
Doctors once believed the bottom number, or diastolic blood pressure, was more important than the systolic blood pressure (the top one) for determining the risk of stroke or heart attack. According to a recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, an elevated diastolic blood pressure is a better predictor of early mortality for people under 50, but the opposite is true for those over the age of 50 when a high systolic pressure becomes the best predictor of early death. The reality is both are important - and either should be treated if it's too high.
The Bottom Line?
Don't let these blood pressure myths keep you from getting the treatment you need. Check your blood pressure regularly, and see your doctor if either number is high. It could save your life.