High blood pressure is a common internal medicine disease closely related to cardiovascular diseases that people are most concerned with. The greatest harm of high blood pressure is damage to the heart, brain, and kidneys. Many middle-aged and elderly people lack awareness of this and often ignore blood pressure control, leading to cardiovascular diseases.
Fear of high blood pressure leads to mental suppression. Many patients have a fear of high blood pressure. However, maintaining blood pressure within the normal range can prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Inherited from parents, I cannot avoid it. The heredity of high blood pressure is only a possibility, and high blood pressure can be prevented or delayed.
Diagnose the condition based on symptoms. Patients with high blood pressure may experience symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, chest tightness, shortness of breath, back pain, leg weakness, insomnia, and weakness in the limbs. However, the diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure are based on blood pressure levels rather than the presence or severity of symptoms.
Prescribing medication based solely on blood pressure measurement. Since high blood pressure can be caused by various factors, patients should undergo systematic examinations to identify the cause before receiving appropriate treatment.
Neglecting the discovery of multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors. Lowering blood pressure alone is not enough; smoking cessation, alcohol limitation, and control of high blood lipids are essential to truly protect the heart, brain, and kidneys.
Inadequate blood pressure control. Believing that as long as blood pressure is normalized by taking antihypertensive drugs, in reality, not every individual’s blood pressure can be lowered to ideal levels by a single antihypertensive drug or treatment plan.
Taking medication based on experience. Relying on personal feelings or others’ recommendations for medication intake without considering individualized treatment principles for high blood pressure is not advisable.
Stopping medication when blood pressure decreases is a common practice among many high blood pressure patients. However, doctors warn that intermittent use of antihypertensive drugs can put a significant burden on the cardiovascular system.
Due to the mild symptoms of high blood pressure in most patients, some individuals may decide to stop taking medication when feeling well. However, discontinuing medication or taking it sporadically can lead to dangerous consequences such as blood pressure rebound and damage to target organs.
Therefore, doctors recommend consistent medication intake even after blood pressure normalization, with the possibility of reducing dosage but not discontinuing completely. Adhering to medication has significant benefits for the prognosis of high blood pressure, as research shows that individuals who consistently take medication maintain good blood pressure levels over time.
Another common issue faced by patients is improper medication usage due to a lack of awareness of the harm this disease can cause. Patients may question the need for medication when asymptomatic and may skip medication doses.
In addition to medication adherence, regular check-ups, especially for blood pressure monitoring, are crucial. Doctors advise patients to have a blood pressure monitor at home for regular monitoring and adjusting medication doses accordingly.
There are various types of antihypertensive drugs tailored to different diseases, such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, kidney disease, or pulmonary conditions. Therefore, patients should not self-select antihypertensive drugs, as improper medication usage can lead to adverse reactions and significant organ damage, especially to the liver and kidneys.
