Disclaimer: The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical attention offline.
Uncle Li is 65 years old and was a construction engineer before he retired. In recent months, he has been feeling dizzy and sometimes breaking out in a cold sweat. At first, he thought it was just that he was too old and didn't pay much attention to it. Until one morning, he suddenly felt severe chest pain and difficulty breathing, so he was so frightened that he quickly asked his wife to call an ambulance.
The results of the hospital examination surprised Uncle Li - his blood pressure was as high as 180/110mmHg. The doctor told him seriously that this is already severe hypertension, and if it is not treated in time, it is likely to cause cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Uncle Li realized the seriousness of the problem and hurriedly asked the doctor what to do.
Unexpectedly, the attending doctor, Professor Wang, smiled and said, "Uncle Li, don't be too nervous. As long as your blood pressure does not exceed 140/90mmHg, you don't have to worry, you can relax and eat and drink as much as you want!
These words made Uncle Li and his family stunned. Don't you really have to worry too much about high blood pressure? Why do doctors say "eat and drink as you like"? Is this advice from medical experts, or is it dangerously misleading?
With a stomach full of questions, Uncle Li decided to learn more about the truth about high blood pressure...
The story starts with Uncle Li's son Li Ming. Li Ming is a university teacher who teaches biology. When he heard about his father's condition, he immediately began to consult the relevant medical literature. He found that high blood pressure is indeed a health problem that cannot be ignored.
According to the Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension (2018 Revised Edition), the normal blood pressure of adults should be less than 130/80mmHg. Persistently elevated blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. Li Ming realized that his father's blood pressure was significantly beyond the normal range and needed to be taken seriously.
But on the other hand, he also noticed that some studies have shown that excessive tension and anxiety may lead to a short-term increase in blood pressure. For example, a study published in the United States Journal of Hypertension showed that the white coat effect (increased blood pressure in front of a doctor) may cause blood pressure readings to be 10-15mmHg higher than usual.
Li Ming speculated that perhaps this was one of the reasons why Professor Wang advised his father to "relax". But the phrase "eat and drink as you like" still baffled him.
In order to learn more about the situation, Li Ming decided to contact several medical experts. He first found his college classmate, Dr. Zhang, who is now the director of the cardiology department of a tertiary hospital.
After listening to Li Ming's description, Dr. Zhang frowned: "Although maintaining an optimistic and positive attitude does help to control blood pressure, the statement of 'eating and drinking casually' is very irresponsible. People with high blood pressure need to pay extra attention to their diet, control their salt and fat intake, and exercise in moderation, which are all scientifically proven methods. "
Dr. Zhang recommended several recent research papers to Ming, including a large-scale study published in The Lancet, which showed that proper dietary modification and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension.
Li Ming nodded thoughtfully and decided to continue the investigation. He contacted another specialist - Professor Chen, a well-known nutritionist.
Professor Chan also strongly disagrees with the term "eat and drink freely": "Dietary management of patients with hypertension is very important. We recommend the DASH diet, which emphasizes increasing intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and reducing intake of saturated fat and sodium. "
Professor Chan also mentioned that according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the DASH diet can reduce systolic blood pressure by an average of 11.4 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 5.5 mmHg. This is quite significant for patients with high blood pressure like Uncle Li.
Li Ming became more and more confused. If the scientific evidence is so abundant, why does Professor Wang give the advice of "eat and drink as you like"? He decided to go directly to Professor Wang to ask him face to face.
In the hospital, Li Ming met Professor Wang. Surprisingly, Professor Wang did not deny that he had said that, but his explanation surprised Li Ming.
"Mr. Li, your father's situation is quite special," Professor Wang explained, "and he has high blood pressure in the white coat. In other words, his blood pressure will only rise abnormally when he is measured in the hospital, which is actually normal at home. In this case, excessive tension can worsen the symptoms. "
Professor Wang continued: "When I say 'eat and drink', I don't really want him to indulge in eating. Instead, I hope he doesn't get too restrained and maintains a normal lifestyle. Excessive restriction and anxiety can sometimes backfire. "
This explanation made Li Ming suddenly realize. He remembered that his father had indeed mentioned that when he checked his blood pressure at home, it was often much lower than in the hospital. But he is still a little worried: "Even if Bai Coat's high blood pressure is not necessary, doesn't there be a need to adjust his diet and lifestyle at all?"
Professor Wang smiled: "Of course not. We still recommend moderate diet and increased exercise. But the most important thing is to keep the patient in a relaxed and happy state of mind. Excessive anxiety and nervousness can lead to more serious problems. "
Li Ming nodded thoughtfully. He realizes that medical advice is not always black and white and sometimes needs to be adjusted according to the patient's specific situation.
After returning home, Li Ming discussed the matter in detail with his father. After listening to his son's explanation, Uncle Li also breathed a sigh of relief. He decided to take a more balanced approach to managing his health: moderate diet and increased exercise, but at the same time not overstressing himself.
A few months later, Uncle Li went to the hospital again for a follow-up. This time, his blood pressure stabilized at 135/85mmHg, which is still somewhat on the high side, but has improved significantly. What's more, he looks more relaxed and happy than before.
Li Ming looked at his father's satisfied smile and couldn't help but sigh: medicine is not just about cold numbers and strict rules, but also about understanding each patient's unique situation and finding the most suitable balance.
This story teaches us that when faced with health issues, we need to:
1. Value the scientific evidence: Numerous studies have shown that a sensible diet and lifestyle are essential for controlling blood pressure.
2. Understand individual differences: Everyone's situation is unique, and medical advice needs to be tailored to the specific situation.
3. Maintain a balanced mindset: Excessive anxiety and nervousness can be counterproductive, and maintaining a positive and optimistic mindset is also part of the treatment.
4. Multi-party consultation: When faced with important health issues, listening to a few experts can help us make more informed decisions.
5. Continuous monitoring: Regular inspections and self-monitoring can help us identify problems and make adjustments in time.
Finally, we want to remember that health is not just a number, but a reflection of the overall quality of life. While following medical advice, learn to enjoy life and find your own way to health.
Bibliography:
1. Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension Revision Committee. Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of hypertension in China (2018 revised edition)[J]. Chinese Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 2019, 47(1): 1-29.
2. Pickering TG, et al. White coat hypertension or white coat effect? Treatment strategies for the patient with the uncertain diagnosis[J]. Postgraduate Medicine, 1994, 96(2): 147-157.
3. Appel LJ, et al. A clinical trial of the effects of dietary patterns on blood pressure[J]. New England Journal of Medicine, 1997, 336(16): 1117-1124.