25/12/2025
🔵 High Blood Pressure – 6 Common Myths Busted
🔵 CardioSmart – American College of Cardiology
🟢 MYTH 1
🟢 I feel fine, so my blood pressure must be OK.
🟢 FACT 1
🟢 High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” for a reason.
🟢 It often has no symptoms.
🟢 If left untreated, it can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
🟢 Get checked.
🟡 MYTH 2
🟡 My blood pressure is only a little high, so it’s no big deal.
🟡 FACT 2
🟡 Even slightly elevated blood pressure can lead over time to heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and dementia.
🟡 Healthy blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mm Hg.
🟡 Get moving to prevent problems.
🟣 MYTH 3
🟣 High blood pressure affects only older people.
🟣 FACT 3
🟣 Blood pressure tends to rise with age, but adults of all ages can develop high blood pressure.
🟣 About 1 in 4 young adults aged 18–39 have high blood pressure.
🟣 Ask about your numbers.
🔵 MYTH 4
🔵 Blood pressure medicines can cause erectile dysfunction (ED).
🔵 FACT 4
🔵 High blood pressure itself can cause erectile dysfunction, which may be an early warning sign of heart disease.
🔵 High blood pressure can also affect women’s sexual health.
🔵 Some medicines such as certain diuretics and beta blockers may increase ED risk, but many do not.
🔵 Discuss concerns before changing medicines.
🟢 MYTH 5
🟢 It’s just a man’s disease.
🟢 FACT 5
🟢 Men can have high blood pressure at younger ages, but women can too.
🟢 Women may develop high blood pressure during pregnancy or shortly afterward.
🟢 High blood pressure affects men and women of all ages.
🟢 Stay on top of your heart health at any age.
🟡 MYTH 6
🟡 Salt is the main culprit for high blood pressure.
🟡 FACT 6
🟡 Salt (sodium) matters, including hidden salt in packaged foods, sauces, and breads.
🟡 Lack of physical activity, excess weight, stress, alcohol, and poor sleep can also raise blood pressure.
🟡 Choose healthy habits.