Local doctor tackles blood pressure misconceptions

THE WOODLANDS, TX – For High Blood Pressure Education Month, a Woodlands-based doctor has decided to debunk some common myths surrounding this common ‘silent killer’ that affects nearly half of all American adults.

Dr. Olasupo Abigail Olagundoye, MD is a board-certified family medicine physician practicing in Texas with nearly thirty years of experience. She graduated from the Obafemi Awolowo University College of Health Sciences in Nigeria in 1988 and subsequently a Postgraduate Diploma from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; she completed her residency at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston. She is currently a primary care physician at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Group - Magnolia Primary Care. Her areas of expertise include diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, geriatric medicine, and preventive care.

High blood pressure and hypertension are so insidious due to their general lack of outward symptoms. On average, high blood pressure is a primary or contributing cause of an excess of 600,000 deaths in the United States; nationally, the mortality rate specifically attributed to hypertension and hypertensive renal disease is 13 deaths per 100,000 people. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that hypertension causes approximately 7.5 million deaths annually.

Dr. Olagundoye lists some of the common excuses that falsely put people in a sense of security over their blood pressure and heart health. Some of these excuses include:

• “I feel fine, so my blood pressure is probably fine.” – This exemplifies the ‘silent killer’ aspect of hypertension. High blood pressure typically presents no obvious symptoms while it progressively damages vital organs, such as the heart, arteries, and kidneys. Patients often remain unaware of the condition for years, meaning they do not seek treatment until a major health event occurs, such as a heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. Because the disease develops slowly and silently, regular blood pressure screening is the only reliable way to detect and manage it before severe complications arise.
• “I’m young, so I’m sure my blood pressure is normal.” – High blood pressure is increasing in younger people primarily due to lifestyle factors such as obesity, sedentary behavior, and high sodium intake. Additionally, the shift from active childhood years to sedentary college and career phases reduces cardiovascular fitness at a critical time for establishing lifelong habits. Chronic stress and poor sleep patterns are also major contributors, particularly among young adults facing financial and professional pressures. Irregular sleep cycles, often exacerbated by late-night gadget usage, further disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm and heart health.
• “I don’t add salt to my food, so I’m safe.” – Even without adding your own sprinkles, a diet rich in processed foods and fast food leads to excessive salt consumption, which causes fluid retention and elevated blood pressure. Hidden salt additions are primarily found in processed and packaged foods where sodium is added for preservation, texture, and flavor enhancement rather than just seasoning. Major categories include condiments and sauces such as soy sauce, ketchup, salad dressings, and barbecue sauce, which can contain high sodium levels per serving, and ready-made meals like instant noodles and frozen entrees that often exceed daily intake limits in a single package. Other significant sources include bread and baked goods, where sodium is added to the dough, as well as processed meats such as ham, bacon, sausages, and cold cuts. Additionally, boxed and bagged snacks, canned soups and vegetables, and even some breakfast cereals and vegan meat substitutes frequently contain substantial amounts of hidden sodium.
• “If I’m already on blood pressure medicine; I don’t need to change my lifestyle.” – Medication alone is often not enough to fully manage hypertension for many patients. Lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and weight management are critical components of treatment and may be sufficient for some individuals with mild hypertension. A combined approach is most desirable for maximum health benefits However, when lifestyle modifications alone are not enough, medications are the most effective way to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage. But many patients require more than one medication to achieve their target blood pressure level, which is typically less than 130/80 mm Hg for most adults. Finding the right combination can take time, as individual responses to drugs vary based on factors like age, other health conditions, and how the body processes the medication.
• “I can stop medication once my blood pressure is normal.” – You should never stop taking blood pressure medication cold turkey. Abruptly discontinuing these drugs can lead to rebound hypertension, where blood pressure spikes to levels higher than before treatment, potentially triggering a hypertensive crisis (a blood pressure of over 180/120). This sudden withdrawal is especially dangerous with beta blockers and central alpha agonists, as it can cause rapid heart rate, chest pain, heart attack, stroke, or even sudden death. If you wish to stop your medication, it must be done through a gradual tapering process under strict medical supervision. Your doctor will create a plan to slowly reduce the dose over weeks or months while monitoring your blood pressure at home. Some patients may eventually stop medication entirely if they have made significant lifestyle changes (such as weight loss and improved diet) and have maintained controlled readings, but this decision and execution require professional guidance.

Regular checkups, coupled with at-home monitoring, a healthy diet and lifestyle, and paying extra attention to possible symptoms, especially as you age, are the best bets to not succumb to hypertension.