High blood pressure has no symptoms. Here’s why you should check yours.

You can feel completely healthy and still have dangerously high blood pressure. A quick check is the only way to know.

Imagine feeling completely healthy as you go about your day, going to school or work, exercising, eating and sleeping normally, only to discover that your blood pressure is dangerously high.

This is one of the reasons high blood pressure is often called a “silent killer.”

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels as your heart pumps blood around your body. When this pressure remains consistently high, it is called hypertension. The dangerous part is that most people will not know until it is too late. You may have hypertension for months or even years without headaches, dizziness, chest pain or any other warning sign.

Checking for hypertension

The only reliable way to know your blood pressure is to measure it. A simple blood pressure check at a clinic, pharmacy or health centre, or with a validated home blood pressure monitor, can help identify a problem early.

One high reading does not necessarily mean you have hypertension. Blood pressure can temporarily rise because of stress, physical activity, caffeine, pain or other factors. Persistently elevated readings need proper assessment by a healthcare professional.

Leaving it untreated

Untreated hypertension can gradually damage important organs, leaving you vulnerable to:

• Heart disease and heart failure
• Stroke
• Kidney disease
• Eye problems and vision loss
• Blood vessel complications

What to do

You don’t have to wait until you feel sick before taking action. You can start by checking your blood pressure to know your condition.

You can also reduce your risk by:

• Eating more fruits and vegetables
• Reducing excessive salt intake
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Avoiding tobacco
• Limiting excessive alcohol consumption
• Taking prescribed blood pressure medication consistently
• Attending routine health checks

Checking your blood pressure takes only a few minutes, but knowing your vitals can help you identify a problem before it causes serious complications.

Don’t wait for symptoms. Check your blood pressure and protect your future.