Busting Myths On Hypertension Part 2
Medically Reviewed by Adeola Alli
Written by 11
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Table of Contents
- 1 MYTH 1: Alcohol will not harm you if you have hypertension.
- 2 MYTH 2: Everybody that gets old will develop hypertension.
- 3 MYTH 3: Hypertension runs in my family, there is nothing I can do about it.
- 4 MYTH 4: I am taking my medicines, I do not have to do anything else.
- 5 MYTH 5: I do not use a lot of salt in my food so I am good to go.
MYTH 1: Alcohol will not harm you if you have hypertension.
Tega: Oga Mfon, early this morning you don already drink. I think say you get hypertension.
Mfon: Madam, you no know say Ogogoro dey help hypertension?
FACT: Red wine is beneficial for heart health because it contains phenols essential for the heart, and doctors recommend it. But excess consumption of alcohol is bad for people living with hypertension. Alcoholism can cause heart failure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Patients are advised to limit their alcohol consumption to one drink daily.
“Join us as we bust myths on hypertension!“
MYTH 2: Everybody that gets old will develop hypertension.
Kayode: I am going to the lab down the street. I want to check my blood pressure.
Ose: Ah. Tor. You are just disturbing yourself. Everybody will still be old and have hypertension.
FACT: Hypertension is NOT a part of aging. People do not develop hypertension because they are old. There are elderly people who do not have any heart conditions. The risk of developing hypertension increases with age but it does not mean that all elderly people would have hypertension.
MYTH 3: Hypertension runs in my family, there is nothing I can do about it.
Doctor: You have to also make sure you live a healthy lifestyle.
Victor: Doctor, leave that one. Hypertension runs in the family. I will still get it.
FACT: Just because hypertension runs in the family does not mean that there is nothing you can do about it. There are lifestyle changes you can make that can prevent you from having hypertension. Eating healthy, minimizing salt intake, exercising regularly, not smoking and drinking, and learning how to manage stress are all important lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of hypertension.
MYTH 4: I am taking my medicines, I do not have to do anything else.
Pharm: Good afternoon Mr. Obogwu, Hope you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Mr. Obogwu: Pharm Pharm your wahala is too much. I am taking my drugs now so everything is good.
FACT: While your medications are effective, it is still important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you eat healthy meals and do exercises regularly like walking. Stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
MYTH 5: I do not use a lot of salt in my food so I am good to go.
Pharm: Ma, your blood pressure is still high. Have you reduced your salt intake?
Mrs. Dati: Yes Pharmacist. I have stopped adding salt to my plantain. I do not put salt in my white rice again.
FACT: Table salt is not the only type of salt you have to worry about. Your processed and canned foods contain a good amount of salt. You can monitor the salt content of any packaged foods you get by checking for the sodium content on the body of the product.
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