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Four Myths About High Blood Pressure

Caregiver in Westfield NJ: Four Myths About High Blood Pressure
Caregiver in Westfield NJ: Four Myths About High Blood Pressure
Caregiver in Westfield NJ: Four Myths About High Blood Pressure
Caregiver in Westfield NJ: Four Myths About High Blood Pressure

More than 75 million people throughout the United States are currently living with high blood pressure. This means that 32 percent of the total adult population of the nation, or more than 1 out of every 3 adults, has this condition. Despite the frequency with which this condition is suffered, there are still many myths that people believe about hypertension, which can put them at serious risk for a wide variety of health conditions.

Understanding these myths can help you to ensure your parent gets the medical attention and proper care necessary to handle this condition effectively. Some of these myths include:

  • High blood pressure is inevitable if others in your family have it. Though family history of high blood pressure is a risk factor, it does not mean that there is nothing your aging parent can do to prevent it even if several members of their family have it. Regardless of their risk factors, they should do everything that they can to keep their health high and their blood pressure under control.
  • Using table salt is the only way that your sodium can be out of control. Eating a diet that is too high in sodium is a risk factor for high blood pressure, and can make it more difficult to control blood pressure if it is already high. Table salt, however, is not the only cause for a diet to have excess sodium. It is vital to check labels for “hidden” salt, which can be very high in processed foods such as canned soups, lunch meats, cheeses, and prepared meals.
  • Sea salt or kosher salt is healthier. There is chemically no difference between sea salt, kosher salt, and so-called table salt. They are all 40 percent sodium and count the same toward sodium consumption.
  • Hypertension makes you feel bad. Some people believe that if they do not have symptoms or feel sick that they cannot be suffering from high blood pressure. The reality is that the vast majority of people who are living with high blood pressure do not ever have any symptoms unless they are in a hypertensive crisis. High blood pressure, however, can lead to a wide variety of very serious health complications and issues, including stroke, cardiovascular disease, and even some forms of cancer.

Starting home care for your aging loved one can be one of the best decisions that you can make for your senior during your caregiving journey with them. A care provider can act as a supplement to the care that you are giving them, as well as step in to fulfill care needs that you are unable to provide comfortably, safely, or effectively. This means that you can experience reduced caregiver stress, focus your energy, effort, and attention on all aspects of your life more effectively, and still feel confident that your parent is getting everything that they need as they age in place. When it comes to helping your parent manage serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure, this care provider can be an invaluable addition to the care routine that you have for your senior. This can include helping them to make good lifestyle choices during their daily life, providing safe and reliable transportation, offering companionship and support, and providing reminders to help them remain compliant with their medications, treatments, and guidelines.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring caregiver services in Westfield, NJ, call the caring staff at Helping Hands Home Care today at 908-418-4299. Providing Home Care Services in all of Northern and Central NJ, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside and the surrounding areas.

Source:

https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/GettheFactsAboutHighBloodPressure/Common-High-Blood-Pressure-Myths_UCM_430836_Article.jsp

Robert D'Arienzo

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