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Common Myths

Exercise might raise my BP to even more dangerous levels.

If I take enough of the right medicines, I will not have to bother with special diets or keep up with regular exercise.
Not true. Medicines won’t make too much difference if your lifestyle continues to be as before.

After a long, stressful day, I lower my BP by having a couple of drinks and a few cigarettes. There's nothing wrong with that!
Stress + alcohol + cigarettes is a bad equation for BP. All three raise your BP independently. Alcohol, in fact, is the most common cause of "refractory" (difficult to treat) hypertension.

I will change my lifestyle and lower my BP, just as soon as I notice some of the common symptoms like dizziness or headaches.
High blood pressure is a "silent killer" as it rarely shows symptoms and can reach very high levels resulting in end organ complications without any warning. The only way to know your BP is to have it measured.

It’s okay for high BP patients to take Low Sodium salt freely.
Commercially available low sodium preparations contain potassium chloride in lieu of a certain per cent of sodium chloride. Do consult your doctor as the extra potassium may not be compatible with the BP medication you are taking.

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