Hypertension is one of the common chronic diseases. It is also the most important risk factor of various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as cerebral apoplexy and coronary heart disease. Many people have misunderstandings in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. For example: no symptoms of discomfort, blood pressure slightly increased, do not need to take medicine; if you do not have headache and dizziness, hypertension is not serious; drinking red wine can reduce blood pressure, etc. Wu Haiying, chief physician of the national cardiovascular disease center and the hypertension diagnosis and treatment center of Fuwai Hospital, answered the related misunderstandings one by one.
Myth 1: if not headache, dizziness, hypertension is not serious.
Expert answer: clinically, some patients with hypertension have no symptoms, so we can't judge the blood pressure by symptoms alone.
Long term hypertension without effective treatment will lead to heart, brain and kidney lesions, namely "target organ damage" of hypertension. Doctors use the blood pressure value, combined with a variety of means to check the damage degree of these target organs, so as to judge the severity of hypertension, but not based on symptoms. In fact, hypertension, also known as "silent killer", is because many people have no symptoms, and their first manifestation is severe consequences such as stroke, myocardial infarction and even death. Wu Haiying suggested that even if patients with hypertension have no symptoms, they also need to use drugs to control blood pressure and take drugs regularly.
Myth 2: no symptoms of discomfort, mild increase in blood pressure, no need to take medicine.
Expert answer: whether patients need to continue taking medicine or not needs to be evaluated by doctors.
According to the guidelines, those who have just found mild hypertension in the early stage and have no other risk factors and target organ damage of hypertension can be given lifestyle improvement within 3-6 months. In addition, antihypertensive drugs should be used under the guidance of doctors. Antihypertensive drugs can protect blood vessels and prevent multiple organ dysfunction. Withdrawal without authorization is not conducive to the recovery of blood pressure, blood pressure will rise again, and even cause stroke.
Myth 3: drinking red wine can reduce blood pressure.
Expert answer: at present, there is no relevant research to prove that red wine has the effect of reducing blood pressure.
Red wine contains a natural compound called resveratrol, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects. But its content is very low, so-called health benefits can be ignored. However, alcohol is more harmful to the body, and drinking has the effect of elevating hypertension, and it is difficult to control the blood pressure of long-term drinkers. For those who have no drinking habit, drinking is not recommended. Those who have drinking habits are advised to drink less.
Myth 4: take a antihypertensive drug for a long time will have dependence.
Expert answer: antihypertensive drugs are dependent, which is not correct.
Antihypertensive drugs are non addictive drugs, and patients will not rely on them after taking them. Compared with the harm of hypertension, antihypertensive drugs have little side effects on human body, and can not stop eating because of choking.
Special thanks: experts recommended by Chinese Preventive Medicine Association