Blood Pressure: Separating Facts from Fiction

Having untreated high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. Do you have the facts about blood pressure?




Myth No. 1: Low blood pressure isn't anything to worry about.
Fact: Low blood pressure, or hypotension, can be a concern if it causes symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or even shock. Dizziness or fainting could lead to a serious fall.  Shock, if not treated immediately, could end in death. However, it's true that low blood pressure is actually normal for some people.


Myth No. 2: It's not important to have your blood pressure checked until you reach age 40.

Fact: Experts recommend screening for high blood pressure starting at age 18. However, others might recommend starting even sooner.  During adolescence, age, body size, and level of sexual development have roles in determining blood pressure.

Myth No. 3: Nervousness, sweating, and trouble sleeping are some symptoms of high blood pressure.

Fact: High blood pressure doesn't have symptoms. In fact, many adults with high blood pressure don't even know they have it.

Myth No. 4 : If you have high cholesterol, you must have high blood pressure, too.

Fact: Many of the same poor lifestyle choices, such as eating a high-fat diet or not exercising enough, tend to increase cholesterol levels and blood pressure. However, it's possible to have high cholesterol without having high blood pressure.

Myth No. 5: Once you start feeling better, it's OK to stop taking your medicine for high blood pressure.

Fact: If your doctor has prescribed medicine for your high blood pressure, follow his or her exact directions closely. It would be dangerous for you to decrease dosage or stop taking the medication without your doctor's approval.

Myth No. 6:  Only men have to worry about getting high blood pressure.

Fact:  Women can have high blood pressure, too. Some women who might be at an increased risk for high blood pressure include those who are:

• Overweight
• Taking a birth control pill
• Pregnant
• Related to people with high blood pressure
• Post menopause

Myth No. 7: All over-the-counter cold and flu medications are safe for people with high blood pressure.

Fact: Decongestants reportedly increase blood pressure and could possibly interfere with blood pressure medications. Be sure to buy cold and flu medications that don't have decongestants.

Myth No. 8: Taking insulin causes arteries to harden and high blood pressure.

Fact: In the past, some doctors were concerned that insulin might contribute to hardening of arteries and high blood pressure. But it is now known that this isn't the case.

Myth No. 9: Your blood pressure readings at the doctor office continue to be high, but your blood pressure is probably fine at home. You just get nervous going to the doctor.

Fact: It's possible to have white-coat hypertension, which is when nervousness temporarily raises blood pressure during a doctor visit. But never ignore multiple readings that suggest high blood pressure. Try logging your blood pressure measurements at home over a period of time, and then share them at your next doctor visit