6 Myths About High Blood Pressure Experts Want You to Stop Believing

eatingwell ^ | November 22, 2024 | Lauren Manaker M.S., RDN, LD, CLEC

[ChicagoConservative27]

Blood pressure is a crucial indicator of our overall health and well-being. Prolonged high blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to severe complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and vision loss.1 American Heart Association. Health Threats from High Blood Pressure.

Yet millions of Americans are living with elevated blood pressure, and many don’t even know it.2

Even though maintaining healthy blood pressure is crucial, there are many myths surrounding high blood pressure. These misconceptions can be dangerous, as they downplay the need for regular monitoring and proactive management.

[Flaming Conservative]

Yes. My husband craves grapefruit, but is on one of the statins that interacts with it. However, I checked up on grapefruit flavored diet sodas (Squirt Zero, Fresca, Ice grqpefruit flavored carbonated drink, [and the Aldi equivalent]), and they have a negligible amount of real grapefruit extract or juice in them. He’s now in hog heaven.

[Dr. Sivana]

I've heard that grapefruit is effective at lowering BP.

Hibiscus Tea can help a little bit (5-10 points) in my experience.

[Frank Drebin]

Now. If you need further proof, read the ‘medical’ advice since the ‘pandemic’ or, even easier, pay attention to whose advertisements/sponsorships you see the most on TV now.

[wardaddy]

I’ve found cacium channel blocker with diuretic works best for me
(Born with a bad heart and mean as hell)

[wardaddy]

Cannot take grapefruit with many blood pressure meds
Fwiw

[TangoLimaSierra]

A year or two ago, the public health “experts” lowered the threshold of what is considered “high” blood pressure.

They also did that more than a decade ago. In my mid 60s I went to a doctor around 2015 for a check up since I hadn't been to one in many years. He, of course, found high blood pressure and prescribed a drug for it. Can't remember which. Pick it up on the way home.

When I got home and checked the internet I found that a few years earlier my BP was normal for my age. Threw the pills out and went on with life. Still don't take any medicines.

Hope big pharma crashes and burns.

[Fresh Wind]

To add to your excellent post...

Become familiar with glycemic index and glycemic load for various food items. Also insulin resistance as a precursor to type 2 diabetes.

[maddog55]

BP medications are the problem.

Lose weight, exercise and eat right, problem solved.

It also doesn’t hurt to not let things bother you...

[wardaddy]

I take Eliquis and plavix
Old motorcycle wreck clot in my right calf

I wondered why my calf ached and I couldn’t breath good a few years ago

A pretty little blonde Jewish NP at Vandy vein clinic heard my rasping and says Mr Byrd I think you have a blood clot and embolisms

Went to cardiologist Dr Fong and he did X-ray and I had 1000s of little bubbles in my lungs

I’ve been on blood thinners since and will continue till my Cheyenne burial in the sky era starts

[wardaddy]

Lord u bleed and bruise easy on those meds
I bump into a door jamb is all it takes

[Night Hides Not]

Deeply sorry for your loss. Stay away from grapefruit if you’re diabetic. I’ve read it’s harmful.

[dznutz]

My BP medication warns in the directions do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice at any time while on this medication.

[fwdude]

I was hoping I could get off the meds and just have a half grapefruit per day.

[PeterPrinciple]

A pretty little blonde Jewish NP at Vandy vein clinic heard my rasping and says Mr Byrd I think you have a blood clot and embolisms

---

When I worked down south for a while I met a fairly successful older black gentlemen. He told me, “I watched those jews a lot. They would pickup a piece of paper on the street, do something with it and make a lot of money. I watched them a lot.”

This dutch kid learned. Often reflect that that is what race relations used to be about. Learning from each other.

[EBH]

You could check with the pharmacist too.

[eyeamok]

Yeah everything I do now leaves a bruise so easily and I have never had a bruise in my life, I am 64 and my blood pressure is 130/78 and everything else is normanl.

[Toespi]

After heart transplant , my husband was warned not to eat grapefruit and more importantly for anyone on immunosuppressant drugs, CRANBERRIES, which interacts with Tacrolimus or everolimus.

[Irenic]

14 Medications to Avoid Mixing With Grapefruit
https://www.verywellhealth.com/grapefruit-interactions-8730189

[MayflowerMadam]

I’m on Eliquis “life-long”. My BP is fine, and I don’t bruise easily. (Maybe they’re giving me a placebo - LOL.)

[Flaming Conservative]

Well, with a heart transplant, I wouldn’t risk even a tiny amount of grapefruit if that’s what the doctors advised.