Sky Lakes Medical Center | Live Smart | Summer 2020

6 LIVE smart | Summer 2020 If I had high blood pressure, I’d know it. fact: About 108 million adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, and many don’t realize it. In fact, it’s sometimes called the silent killer because it usually doesn’t cause symptoms. You can have high blood pressure and feel fine, even though it may be damaging your arteries, heart, kidneys and other organs. That’s why you need to get your blood pressure checked regularly. myth There’s a lot of misinformation about high blood pressure—and that’s potentially dangerous. When blood pressure stays high, it raises your risk of a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and other serious health problems. And a wrong assumption could jeopardize your ability to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. So don’t be fooled by the following four myths about high blood pressure: IT’S QUITTING TIME If you smoke, kicking the habit is an important part of a healthier lifestyle. Learn more at SkyLakes.org/QuitNow . Since high blood pressure runs in my family, I’m going to get it too. fact: If your parent or a close relative has high blood pressure, you are at higher risk of getting it too. But that’s hardly a given. Healthy habits help many people with a family history of high blood pressure avoid it themselves. Here are key ones: ▸ If you smoke, stop. ▸ Trim down if you’re overweight. ▸ Eat a heart-healthy, low-salt diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. ▸ Get regular exercise, and do your best to manage stress. Though I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, it’s down now and I can stop my medicine. fact: High blood pressure can be a lifelong disease. And controlling it may mean taking medicine every day for the rest of your life. To protect your health, never stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. My doctor checks my blood pressure, so I don’t need to check it at home. fact: Blood pressure can fluctuate. Home monitoring, if your doctor advises it, may help your doctor determine if you really have high blood pressure or if your treatment plan is working. 4myths debunked HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE myth myth myth Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Heart Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute