Last Updated on May 1, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A social media post claims that a new & safer drug has been created for treating high blood pressure. We fact checked and found out it is false.
The Claim
As per a video on social media, there’s a new, safer medicine for high blood pressure. The video features Uttar Pradesh’s CM Yogi Adityanath and a TV news anchor Chitra Tripathi advertising it. They say it can treat high blood pressure and clear blocked heart arteries.
Fact Check
Is it true that UP CM Yogi Adityanath is promoting a new found antihypertensive drug?
No, UP CM Yogi Adityanath is not promoting any such drug that can treat hypertension and clear blocked arteries. Upon fact-checking, we found it is a deep fake video of UP CM Yogi Adityanath. There is an evident lack of lip-syncing, which raises concerns about its authenticity. Along with that, there is also a TV news anchor, Chitra Tripathi, who is seen promoting the same medicinal product; that video lacks credibility as well. The lip movements do not match the audio, proving an obvious deep fake. A reverse Google Image search also shows that the clip (of Chitra Tripathi) used in the claim video has also been used in a different false information video earlier. We have debunked the misinformation here.
To add more, we can see there is a use of provocative language in the video, which paints allopathy medicine in a bad light. It says Indian scientists have discovered a new herbal drug for hypertension, but they did not mention the specifications. There is no mention of the names of scientists, the availability of the medicine, or information about clinical trials. All these points raise questions about the authenticity and credibility of the so-called ‘natural drug’. Also, if there really were a breakthrough drug that could normalise hypertension and clear up blocked arteries, it would have been promoted through trustworthy means and not through deepfake videos.
Can a herbal drug clear blocked arteries?
No, it cannot. There are not enough studies to support the claim that blocked arteries can be cleared with just herbal drugs or natural remedies. A blocked artery (also called atherosclerosis) can only be controlled, but it can not be reversed.
What is atherosclerosis and can it be reversed?
Atherosclerosis refers to the narrowing and hardening of arteries due to the buildup of plaque composed of fats, cholesterol, and other substances. The disease progresses slowly over time. If you have high cholesterol, the extra cholesterol can build up in artery walls. The body responds by sending white blood cells to attack the buildup, causing inflammation. Dead cells can collect in the artery, leading to further inflammation. Over time, scarring, stiffening, and calcification may occur, causing the plaque to harden. Narrowed arteries can restrict blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. If a blood clot breaks away from elsewhere in the body, it can block the narrowed artery, cutting off blood supply and causing a heart attack or stroke.
Once diagnosed with atherosclerosis, prevention becomes key. While medical treatment, exercise, and dietary changes can stabilise plaque and prevent worsening, they can’t reverse the disease. For example, aspirin helps prevent blood clots but doesn’t reduce arterial plaque. Medications may alleviate symptoms like chest pain. Balanced diets and exercise help control high blood pressure and cholesterol, major atherosclerosis factors. Quitting smoking is crucial as it builds up arterial plaque, lowers HDL (good cholesterol), and raises blood pressure, adding stress to arteries.
Dr. Amit Bhushan Sharma, Associate Director and Unit Head of Cardiology at Paras Hospitals, Gurugram, explains that as plaques accumulate within arteries, they may cause blockages, resulting in reduced blood flow. While specific foods cannot eliminate plaque from arteries, maintaining a healthy diet can help in the management and prevention of heart disease.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension or high blood pressure occurs when the force of blood against artery walls is consistently too high. If untreated, it can lead to severe health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg), with two numbers recorded: systolic pressure (when the heart pumps blood) over diastolic pressure (when the heart rests between beats). A reading of 120/80 mm Hg or lower (up to 90/60) is considered normal, while constantly higher readings, that is above 140/90 mm Hg, are classified as hypertension. High blood pressure often goes unnoticed because it generally has no symptoms. However, if left unaddressed, it can result in serious complications like heart failure & heart attack, stroke, vision loss, sexual dysfunction and kidney disease/failure.
What are the risk factors of hypertension?
Several factors can increase your risk of developing hypertension, including an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, being overweight, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, stress, and family history.
What is an ideal way to manage hypertension?
Managing hypertension is necessary for maintaining good health and reducing the risk of serious consequences like heart disease and stroke. To effectively manage high blood pressure, focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes adopting a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy, while limiting saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium. Staying physically active with activities like brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, and maintain a healthy weight or lose extra weight (if overweight). Limit alcohol intake or quit altogether, and reduce sodium intake by avoiding processed foods high in salt. Practice stress-reducing techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in hobbies.
We strongly advise you to seek professional guidance from a doctor to personalise your treatment plan according to your health conditions, lifestyle and specific needs. It’s also important to regularly monitor your blood pressure and diet to manage your health.
What is the impact of hypertension on global health?
Hypertension presents a significant global health challenge, affecting an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 worldwide, with the majority residing in low- and middle-income countries (like ours). Alarmingly, approximately 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware of their condition, and less than half receive a diagnosis and proper treatment. Consequently, only about 1 in 5 adults with hypertension have their blood pressure under control.
This widespread lack of awareness, diagnosis, and treatment contributes to hypertension being a major cause of premature death worldwide. In response to this growing health crisis, one of the main global targets for noncommunicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 33% between 2010 and 2030. Achieving this goal requires combined efforts to raise awareness, improve access to healthcare, and implement prevention and management strategies on a global scale. This is needed so as to significantly reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and improve overall health outcomes worldwide.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.
