Know The HEALTH FACTS ... Because WEALTH THRU PERSONAL HEALTH is a COMMITMENT... NOT A CHOICE!
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There are lots of misconceptions regarding hypertension or high blood pressure that I always hear from my patients… Let me share with you some of these and the truths about them…
1. I should not get a high blood pressure since I am anemic.
A very common belief but totally wrong! Anemia is a state where your red blood cells are low and can be due to chronic medical conditions like diabetes or acute blood loss from menstrual periods or bleeding. On the other hand… Blood Pressure is the pressure in the vessels or arteries at which the heart is pumping blood into. So high blood pressure is not synonymous to being NOT ANEMIC because you can well be very anemic but with a BP of 160/100 mm Hg.
2. My BP is normal between 120/80 to 140/90 mmHg so I don’t need to worry.
Based on the new definition of high blood pressure…120/80 mmHg is no longer normal but a prehypertension stage. This level of BP has been shown in one study to increase ones risk to suffer from heart disease by more than 30%. Aim therefore for a BP of 110/70 mmHg and below.
3. I am happy with a BP of 140/90 mmHg… I feel good and does not feel anything. Do I need treatment?
Definitely …and this misconception is the big problem. Not feeling anything is the common reason for avoiding medical advise…and likewise the most common reason for developing complications early. High BP is a risk factor for developing other diseases like diabetes and high cholesterol. Once you have the triad of diabetes, high BP and high Cholesterol… ones risk to suffer from heart attack and stroke increases >20 fold!!!!
In short…having high BP should not be taken for granted. Feeling good does not necessarily equate to being healthy. Age is a risk factor for developing chronic illnesses therefore I recommend having an executive checkup yearly after the age of 40.
Remember… The Earlier a disease is discovered…the Better the prognosis of recovery.
It is estimated that approximately 1/3 of patients with high BP do not know they have it…therefore…
Check Your BP! You May Be in for a Surprise!
That Health Rules 
August 2, 2006 at 1:27 am
again, a very informative and practical blog from our top endo in cdh. i hope more hypertensives and/or diabetic patients read this blog. very comprehensible yet very much useful. two thumbs up doc gerry!=)