What are common myths about high blood pressure?

The following are common myths about high blood pressure:

Myth: Your blood pressure should be no higher than 120/80.

Fact: Your target blood pressure depends on your risk for cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. That means if you have risk factors such as if you're overweight, if your cholesterol is high, or if you have diabetes, your blood pressure should probably be around 110/70 or lower.

Myth: Cholesterol is more likely to affect your heart attack risk than blood pressure.

Fact: High blood pressure puts you at greater risk of having a heart attack than cholesterol, because high blood pressure can overstress the blood vessels that carry blood to your heart. And when high blood pressure strains your blood vessel walls, your "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can invade those walls. The LDL particles then cluster together, forming plaque, which could trigger a heart attack or stroke.

Myth: If your blood pressure is high, you should monitor it daily at home to make sure it doesn't jump and raise the danger of a sudden heart attack or stroke.

Fact: The danger from high blood pressure builds up over years, so it's important to keep track of your blood pressure and let your doctor know if it changes dramatically over time. Bring your blood pressure readings when you go to see your doctor, so that the two of you can discuss any trends -- positive, negative, or no change -- and decide what to do about them.

Myth: Medication is the only effective treatment for hypertension.

Fact: A healthy diet can actually combat high blood pressure more effectively than drugs. One good choice is DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), which curbs sodium and saturated fats in favor of heart-healthier proteins (like poultry or fish) and omega-3 fats in fish and nuts, along with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Besides lowering your heart attack and stroke risk, this type of diet could help prevent other conditions like type 2 diabetes.

Myth: Only people with hot-headed, hyperactive, competitive personalities get high blood pressure.

Fact: There is no such thing as a high blood pressure personality. Hypertension is an equal opportunity condition. Anyone can develop high blood pressure, whatever their personality, gender, or age. It is true, however, that learning to reduce or manage your stress could help you lower or control your blood pressure, which in turn could decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke.