在当今世界, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction, but it’s important to know which is which – especially when it comes to heart health.
Below, we’ll debunk some of the most popular (and misleading) blood pressure myths.
血压:神话vs. 事实
神话: My blood pressure is only high when I’m at the doctor’s office.
- 事实: While it’s possible to have “white coat syndrome,” you should pay close attention if your blood pressure readings are consistently high. Check your blood pressure at home using a blood pressure cuff that has been approved by your healthcare provider, and keep a log of at-home readings to bring to your appointments.
神话: My body has become tolerant of my blood pressure medication, and it has stopped working.
- 事实: If your blood pressure is rising despite taking your daily medication, talk to your doctor. It’s important to rule out changes in kidney or heart function, and sometimes additional medications will need added to your current prescription.
神话: Everyone in my family has high blood pressure, so there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
- 事实: Knowing your family history is a great first step in managing and monitoring your health, but it doesn’t mean you should give up on prevention. 生活方式的改变, like frequent exercise and eating a heart-healthy diet, 能帮你抵消遗传风险吗.
神话: I just need to find the “right” pill to control my blood pressure.
- 事实: People can respond differently to each class of blood pressure medication, and it’s common to use a combination of multiple types of blood pressure medication to achieve a healthy heart and minimize side effects. If a single pill isn’t the cure-all for your hypertension, don’t sweat it!
神话: If I’m feeling poorly, it’s probably because my blood pressure is elevated.
- 事实: 这种情况很少发生. 通常, whatever is causing your symptoms is also causing the rise in your blood pressure, 而不是反过来. 例如, 如果你生病或疼痛, 你的身体会释放肾上腺素, which then causes your blood pressure to rise.
神话: My blood pressure is only high because I drink so much caffeine.
- 事实: Caffeine’s impact on the body, and particularly blood pressure, is still widely debated. 根据一些研究, the body does seem to become somewhat tolerant to the effects of caffeine when it’s consumed regularly, so the long-term effects on blood pressure are not well understood. For people who don’t consume caffeine regularly, a temporary rise in blood pressure may occur, 但应该在短时间内恢复正常.In short, even the most dedicated coffee drinkers should take high blood pressure seriously.
神话: I don’t use table salt, so I must be controlling my sodium intake enough to manage my blood pressure.
- 事实: Controlling sodium means more than just putting down the salt shaker. 事实上, up to 75% of the sodium we consume is hidden in processed foods, 比如番茄酱, 汤, 罐头食品, 准备好的混合物和调味品.
Read labels and watch for “salt,” “sodium” or the “Na” symbol on labels.
神话: 我感觉很好. There’s no way I could have high blood pressure.
- 事实: While many of us associate outward symptoms – like sweating, facial flushing and anxious behavior – with high blood pressure, 通常没有任何症状. It’s possible to live with high blood pressure for several years before experiencing symptoms – but that doesn’t mean it’s not causing damage. Hypertension is known as the “silent killer” because it can go undetected until severe health problems arise, 比如心脏病和中风. 这就是为什么……很重要 了解你的数字 and follow up with your healthcare provider on a regular basis.
神话: My blood pressure readings have been normal since taking medication, so I no longer need it.
- 事实: Never change or discontinue your medications without speaking to your healthcare provider. And if your blood pressure has become normal since taking medication, 这是继续下去的完美理由! Hypertension can be a chronic condition, meaning it lasts the duration of your lifetime. You should plan to work closely with your primary care provider and cardiologist to manage it. If you have recently made healthy lifestyle changes – like losing a significant amount of weight, for example – check in with your care team about how to best manage your heart health.
来源: 美国心脏协会