The widespread notion that excessive thinking raises blood pressure (HBP) has been contested by a nurse, who called it a myth.

The nurse stated in a video that went viral on social media that people frequently tell people who have high blood pressure that they got it because they “think too much.”

“Nigerians, too much thinking does not cause high blood pressure,” she said.

The nurse explained her stance by saying that while hypertension affects the heart and blood vessels, thinking occurs in the brain, specifically in the frontal lobe.

“You think with your brain. It is your brain you are using to think,” she said.

She went on to say that the frontal lobe is in charge of thinking and made the case that high blood pressure has no direct effect on this area of the brain.

“High blood pressure focuses on the heart. The heart and the blood vessels, especially the arteries.”

According to the nurse, one of the things that can raise a person’s risk of having hypertension is genetics.

She cautioned people against adding too much salt and seasoning to their meals, identifying excessive salt consumption as another danger factor.

“Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure,” she said.

The nurse urged those who spend most of their time sitting or lying down to increase their level of physical activity.

She was critical of people who don’t make time for exercise and instead spend their days on social media and phones.

“You cannot even stand up and say, let me just walk around more. Let me just take a stroll.”

The nurse claims that obesity and overweight can also raise the risk of high blood pressure.

“When somebody is too fat or when somebody is overweight, it can lead to high blood pressure.”

She also mentioned excessive alcohol intake and smoking as contributing factors to hypertension.

Smoking, it can cause high blood pressure.”

On alcohol, she said: “Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure.”

The nurse noted that elderly persons are more likely to acquire hypertension and mentioned growing older as another risk factor.

She went on to discuss chronic stress, stating that individuals who work nonstop without getting enough sleep may also be at higher risk for health problems.