Five common high blood pressure myths

May is National Blood Pressure Education Month, and it is important to educate yourself about high blood pressure so that you can make smart choices. 

Each time your heart beats, it is sending blood into your arteries. Blood pressure is the force of your blood as it pushes against the walls of your arteries.

“If your blood pressure stays high for an extended period of time, your heart will eventually have to work harder and pump faster,” said Amanda Monteleone a physician assistant with Prairie Heart Institute at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese. “Making your heart work harder can lead to serious health problems such as having a heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney failure.”

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. Diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. A normal blood pressure reading for adults is a systolic pressure of less than 120 mm Hg (standard unit of measurement for pressure) and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mm Hg, or “120/80”. Your blood pressure will change throughout the day but having high blood pressure means your blood pressure is consistently above normal. 

“Eating a diet of mostly vegetable, fruits and whole grains, exercising daily and reducing stress can help lower a person's blood pressure,” said Monteleone. “However, some people with high blood pressure cannot keep their blood pressure under control and require medication. Check with your doctor to identify the right lifestyle changes and medications for you.”

According to the American Heart Association, these are five common myths of high blood pressure:

1.    Myth: High blood pressure runs in my family, so there is nothing I can do to prevent it. 

• Many people who have parents or close, blood-related relatives with high blood pressure are able to avoid developing high blood pressure by making heart-healthy lifestyle changes. 

2.    Myth: I don’t use table salt, so I’m in control of my sodium intake and blood pressure.

• In some people, sodium can increase blood pressure. Simply avoiding table salt does not mean you are in control of your sodium intake. Make sure to read the nutrition label on prepared and prepackaged food, and look for the words “soda”, “sodium” or the symbol “Na” to gain an understanding of how much sodium compound is present in your diet. 

3.    Myth: I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, but I have been maintaining lower readings, so I can stop taking my blood pressure medication. 

• High blood pressure can be a lifelong disease. Do not stop taking your blood pressure medication before consulting with your primary care physician. 

4.    Myth: People with high blood pressure experience nervousness, sweating, difficulty sleeping and flush faces. I feel fine, so I don’t have to worry about my blood pressure.

• High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it usually has no warning signs and many people have it for years without knowing. Don’t make the mistake of assuming any specific symptoms will let you know there’s a problem. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to get regularly checked by your primary health care physician. 

5.    Myth: I read that wine is good for the heart, which means I can drink as much as I want.

• Heavy and regular use of alcohol can increase blood pressure dramatically. If you do drink alcohol, including red wine, do so in moderation. Stick to the recommended two drinks or less per day for men and one drink or less per day for women. Generally, one drink equals a 12-ounce beer, a four-ounce glass of wine, 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor or one ounce of hard liquor.

For more information about high blood pressure, visit heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure.

If you are concerned about your heart health, Prairie Heart Institute has physicians and providers in Effingham to partner with you. To learn more about the doctors of Prairie, call 888-4PRAIRIE or visit Prairieheart.org.