10 Dangerous Myths About High Blood Pressure Most People Get Wrong
As a physician, I address common misconceptions about hypertension/high blood pressure and elevated blood pressure that can lead to serious health consequences. Learn the facts and avoid the mistakes!
3/26/20254 min read
🩺 10 Things People Get Wrong About High Blood Pressure That Could Be Dangerous
By Kim Singletary, MD , Emergency Physician
Introduction
Writing this article has been a form of therapy. As an emergency physician, I’ve seen well-meaning attempts to manage high blood pressure go terribly wrong—sometimes causing more harm than the condition itself.
Too often, patients and families fixate on a single number while missing the broader picture of cardiovascular health. But one elevated reading isn’t always an emergency. And misunderstanding how to handle it? That can be dangerous.
This post unpacks the most common blood pressure misconceptions I see in the ER—and how to approach your health with more confidence, clarity, and calm.
1. Not Having a Plan for Blood Pressure Treatment
You bought a home monitor. You’re checking your numbers. That’s great—but what’s your game plan?
Without one, you're just watching digits rise and fall without purpose. Your plan should include:
Your personalized blood pressure target
What to do if your numbers spike
When to call your doctor or go to the ER
⚠️ Reminder: Blood pressure goals vary based on conditions like heart failure, kidney disease, or diabetes. Talk to your provider about what’s right for you.
2. Comparing Medication Strengths Based on the Number on the Label
I’ve seen this too many times: “My cousin takes 50mg, I’m only on 10mg—I must not be on the strong stuff.”
🚫 False.
Metoprolol and lisinopril are different drugs. They work differently in your body. Their milligrams can’t be compared like ibuprofen and Tylenol.
Worse? Borrowing a relative’s “stronger” medication. I’ve treated patients for fainting, falls, and stroke-like symptoms because of this.
💡 If your meds don’t seem to be working, don’t self-adjust. Call your provider.
3. Checking Blood Pressure 10 Times in One Hour
Over-monitoring only raises your anxiety—and your numbers.
One patient showed me a sheet of 12 readings taken in 45 minutes. Each one higher than the last. Why? Because their stress was increasing with every check.
Instead: ✅ Sit quietly for 5 minutes
✅ Take one reading
✅ Write it down
✅ Walk away
📍 If you have symptoms like chest pain, blurred vision, or shortness of breath—head to the ER. Otherwise, give yourself space to breathe.
4. Expecting the ER to “Fix” Your Blood Pressure
If you're in the ER without symptoms (asymptomatic hypertension), we’re not going to force your BP down to 120/80—and that’s on purpose.
Both the ACEP and AAFP recommend against aggressively lowering high blood pressure in the ER when there's no sign of organ damage. Why? Because doing so too quickly can cause fainting, stroke, or worse.
We’re here to stabilize, evaluate, and guide you to proper follow-up. Long-term blood pressure control is best managed by your primary care provider.
5. Using Alternative Methods—But Never Checking Your Numbers
I love when patients explore natural options. Garlic, beet juice, clean eating—yes, lifestyle matters.
But if you’re not checking your blood pressure while doing it, you have no idea if it’s working.
I’ve seen people who "felt fine" for years walk into the ER with kidney failure, retinal damage, or heart strain—all from uncontrolled hypertension they didn’t know they had.
📊 Track your numbers. Communicate with your doctor. Don’t rely on vibes—use verified data.
6. Overlooking the Power of Sleep
Sleep is where your body resets. If you're short-changing it, you could be raising your blood pressure without realizing it.
Issues like:
Sleep apnea
Chronic insomnia
Irregular sleep-wake cycles
…can all disrupt your body’s natural ability to regulate blood pressure.
💤 Ask your doctor about a sleep study if you're waking up exhausted, gasping, or snoring heavily.
7. Forcing Grandma’s BP to Be “Perfect”
Not everyone needs to hit 120/80—especially not your 89-year-old grandma who’s dizzy every time she stands up.
Elderly patients may require slightly higher blood pressures to keep their brains and kidneys perfused. Lowering it too much can cause dangerous falls and confusion.
Let’s protect her from the ground—not from a number on a chart.
8. Snacking on Chips While Waiting to Be Seen for High Blood Pressure
This one’s real.
I’ve walked into exam rooms where patients waiting to be seen for elevated blood pressure are munching on a bag of chips.
🧂 Salt is a blood pressure booster. The ER is not the time for a sodium party.
Pack a low-sodium snack or sip water instead. Your numbers will thank you.
9. Ignoring the Opportunity to Calm Down While You Wait
Stress elevates blood pressure. That crowded waiting room? Not helping.
But you can still find a moment of peace. Try: 🎧 Headphones with calming music
📱 A breathing app
🙏 Prayer or mindfulness
💬 Asking your family to give you a few minutes of quiet
Centering yourself can make a bigger impact than any medication in the moment.
10. Not Knowing That Cold Medicine Could Spike Your BP
Over-the-counter decongestants like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can seriously raise your blood pressure.
🚫 Avoid these if you have hypertension:
Sudafed
Claritin-D, Allegra-D
Robitussin-D
✅ Instead: Look for “decongestant-free” or “safe for high blood pressure” labels.
Always check with your pharmacist or doctor. That sniffle relief isn’t worth a hypertensive crisis.
🎁 Bonus: Expecting the ER to Manage Your Blood Pressure Long-Term
This might be hard to hear—but it needs to be said.
The emergency department is your pit stop, not your garage.
We’re here to rule out dangerous complications and stabilize you. The real work—diet, lifestyle, medication adjustments, follow-up—happens in partnership with your primary care doctor.
📅 Schedule the follow-up. Do the check-ins. Make the changes. That’s where long-term success lives.
💬 Final Thoughts
Whew. I feel better. Thanks for being part of my therapy session.
Managing high blood pressure is a marathon, not a sprint. The more you understand, the better you can navigate it—and avoid common traps that cause harm.
👏 You don’t have to be perfect. Just be proactive.
🩺 Reminder: I’m a doctor, but not your doctor. Please consult your own provider for medical guidance tailored to you.
✅ Helpful Resources American Heart Association
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