Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. It may seem easy to deal with: just take pills and pay a little attention to your diet. However, in practice, many people make mistakes that undermine all efforts and increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other complications. In this article, we have gathered seven common mistakes that people make when treating high blood pressure.

1. Self-discontinuation or change of medication dosage

One of the most dangerous mistakes is to stop taking medication without consulting your doctor. Often, the person with hypertension gets better, their blood pressure normalizes, and they decide that they no longer need medication. This is an illusion. High blood pressure is a chronic disease and, in most cases, requires lifelong treatment. Abrupt discontinuation of medication can result in a sharp increase in blood pressure and serious consequences, including hypertensive crisis.

2. Irregular medication intake

Sometimes patients take medication only when they feel unwell. However, blood pressure-lowering medications should be taken daily, regardless of how you feel. Irregular use reduces the effectiveness of the treatment and leads to unstable blood pressure. It's like trying to put out a fire with a bucket of water once a day – it won't work.

3. Ignoring lifestyle

Many people believe that medication alone is enough. However, high blood pressure can't be controlled without lifestyle changes. If you continue to consume too much salt, eat fatty foods, smoke, don't exercise, and ignore excess weight, the medications will not fight the disease.

4. Using home remedies instead of professional treatment

Garlic, lemon, tinctures, herbs – the Internet is full of home remedies that promise to lower blood pressure without pills. Some of them may have a slight effect on vascular tone, but no home remedy can replace full-fledged high blood pressure treatment. In addition, self-medication can be dangerous: for example, some herbs can't be used with other drugs or they can trigger allergic reactions.

5. Failure to monitor blood pressure at home

Many people measure their blood pressure only in the doctor's office. However, hypertension often occurs without symptoms, and only through regular monitoring at home can we determine how effective the treatment is. Modern blood pressure monitors are affordable and easy to use. Spending five minutes a day measuring your blood pressure is better than spending weeks or months recovering from a stroke.

6. Neglecting comorbidities

High blood pressure is rarely the only problem. It is often associated with diabetes, obesity, and disorders of lipid metabolism. Treatment should be comprehensive. For example, in diabetes, blood vessels are more severely affected, and blood pressure must be controlled especially strictly. Ignoring underlying diseases reduces the overall success of treatment and accelerates the development of complications.

7. Expect quick results

Some patients want an immediate effect: take a pill and feel good immediately. However, treating high blood pressure requires time, patience, and discipline. The pressure should be reduced gradually, especially if it was very high – a sharp drop can be dangerous. Moreover, it can take several weeks to find the proper medication. It is essential to trust the doctor and not change the treatment every three days in the hope of miracles.

The bottom line

High blood pressure is not a disease that can be treated half-heartedly. In most cases, it is impossible to cure the disease entirely, but it is quite possible to keep it under control. The main thing is to avoid the abovementioned mistakes and act disciplined and responsible. Only in this case can we talk about real control over our health and minimizing risks. Your health is in your hands. Take care of yourself and don't let high blood pressure control your life.