The National Health Commission held a press conference on the 10th to introduce the relationship between seasonal solar terms and health (such as the beginning of spring and rainfall). During the Spring Festival, some people may stop taking antihypertensive drugs due to visiting relatives and friends or traveling, while some elderly people may think that taking medication during the New Year is unlucky and that blood pressure will drop when the weather warms up, so they stop taking medication on their own. Regarding this, Du Jianpeng, chief physician of Xiyuan Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, clearly stated that these practices are not advisable, especially for elderly people who stop using blood pressure regulating drugs without authorization, which may induce acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in a short period of time. Du Jianpeng stated that the function of antihypertensive drugs is to maintain and stabilize blood pressure to meet the standard. Irregular use of antihypertensive drugs or unauthorized discontinuation of medication can cause a rebound in blood pressure, resulting in fluctuations that can damage blood vessels and the heart, which is more dangerous than persistent hypertension. During holidays, high salt and high fat meals, drinking alcohol, staying up late, traveling fatigue, and emotional excitement may all cause an increase or fluctuation in blood pressure. Stopping medication at this time is like adding insult to injury, which can easily trigger emergencies such as cerebral infarction, heart attack, and cerebral hemorrhage. The common misconception is that 'blood pressure drops when the weather gets warmer, so there's no need to take medication'. When the temperature rises and blood vessels dilate, there may be a slight decrease in blood pressure, but this amplitude is usually limited and does not mean that blood pressure can return to normal. In spring, there is often a late spring cold, and the temperature difference between morning and evening is relatively large. The repeated contraction and relaxation of blood vessels can actually cause fluctuations in blood pressure. Therefore, medication should not be reduced or stopped based on intuition. In addition, monitoring should be strengthened during the spring blood pressure fluctuation period. For patients with unstable blood pressure or those who have recently adjusted their medication, it is recommended to measure their blood pressure once in the morning and once in the evening. After waking up in the morning, they should sit quietly for 10 minutes without taking medication, and before going to bed at night, they should sit quietly for 10 minutes. If you experience discomfort such as dizziness and head swelling during the day, feel free to take additional tests at any time. After the blood pressure stabilizes, it is recommended to measure 2-3 days a week, once in the morning and once in the evening, without excessive monitoring causing anxiety. Medication adjustments must be made under the guidance of a doctor. Du Jianpeng reminds that when traveling during the Spring Festival, it is important to prepare sufficient medication in advance. Long term medication prescriptions, packaging, or instructions can be carried with you or photographed and stored on your phone. Medication reminders can be set up to ensure regular medication use without interruption. (New Society)