Hypertension or High blood pressure is a common chronic condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease. Fortunately, High blood pressure generally develops over many years and can be easily detected. Once you know you have high blood pressure, you can work with your doctor to control it.
MYTH 1: You can stop taking your medication
Absolutely not! Never stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor. Hypertension is a lifelong disease and you need to stick to the treatment plan even if your blood pressure readings are perfect.
MYTH 2: All you need to control your blood pressure, is to stop salting your food
Tabletop salt shaker is not the only source of salt, it is added to all processed food including canned goods, soups, tomato products …etc. you need to read the labels and look for sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or monosodium glutamate (MSG).
MYTH 3: If you feel headache, you have hypertension.
This is far from true, 1 in 6 patients have no idea they have hypertension. This is why it’s often called “the silent killer” – because someone with no symptoms can suddenly have a heart attack or kidney problem while actually the reason was the high blood pressure.
MYTH 4: High blood pressure is an old aged women disease.
Unfortunately, high blood pressure can affect anybody above the age of 18, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). But the proportion increases with age, from 1 in 10 people in their 20s and 30s to 5 in 10 people in their 50s. Moreover, both sexes are at risk of developing hypertension. However, the condition is more common in men under 45 years old and in women after menopause.
MYTH 5: It’s OK as Long as One Number Is Normal
Surprisingly our heart can tolerate occasional increases in systolic blood pressure compared to diastolic pressure. Consistently high diastolic pressure can lead to health problems. However, high systolic pressure is of concern in people above the age of 50. Hence it is advisable to take action if either of your blood pressure readings is consistently high.
MYTH 6: Uric Acid and Sugars has nothing to do with hypertension
Of course not! fructose from sugar, corn syrup, sodas and many juices or fruits breaks down into uric acid. Uric acid inhibits Nitric Oxide in blood vessels. Nitric Oxide helps blood vessels remain elastic. Thus, High fructose is directly linked to hypertension for this reason as well as for causing Insulin Resistance.
MYTH 7: Magnesium is irrelevant to hypertension
Starches and sugars cause elevated Insulin and eventually Insulin Resistance. Insulin stores Magnesium, but if you’ve become Insulin Resistant you cannot hold Magnesium, a mineral well-known to relax arteries and muscles. With insulin resistance, you can take supplemental magnesium which some research proves that it helps in lowering blood pressure. But the real answer is to get your Insulin under control with a grain free sugar-free diet.