AliviaQ
High Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer You Can Control
Hypertension affects 1 in 3 adults and often has no symptoms until serious damage is done. A cardiologist explains what you need to know and what you can do.
What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of your arteries. It's measured in two numbers: systolic (when the heart beats) over diastolic (between beats). A reading of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. Hypertension is diagnosed when readings consistently exceed 140/90 mmHg.
Why it's dangerous
Elevated pressure puts continuous strain on artery walls and the heart. Over years, this causes:
- Heart disease — the leading cause of death worldwide
- Stroke — high blood pressure is responsible for 54% of strokes
- Kidney damage — the kidneys' delicate filtering vessels are particularly vulnerable
- Vision loss — hypertensive retinopathy
- Cognitive decline — reduced blood flow to the brain
The silent aspect
Most people with high blood pressure feel completely normal. There are typically no symptoms until a serious event (heart attack, stroke) occurs. This is why it's called "the silent killer" and why regular monitoring is critical.
What raises your blood pressure?
- High sodium intake
- Excess alcohol
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity
- Chronic stress
- Smoking
- Genetic factors (difficult to control)
- Sleep apnoea
What you can do
Lifestyle changes alone can reduce blood pressure by 10–15 mmHg: 1. Reduce sodium intake to under 2,300 mg/day 2. Exercise 30 minutes most days 3. Maintain a healthy weight 4. Reduce alcohol intake as much as possible 5. Stop smoking 6. Manage stress (see our article on anxiety management)
When medication is needed: Many people with hypertension require medication in addition to lifestyle changes. Modern antihypertensive medications are very effective and well-tolerated.
Action steps
- Know your numbers — measure your blood pressure at home with a validated monitor
- Consult a doctor — if readings are consistently above 130/80
- Follow your treatment plan — medication works when taken regularly
A cardiologist consultation on Aliviaq takes less than 30 minutes and can give you a personalised management plan.
General Practitioner with extensive experience in telemedicine. Regular contributor to the AliviaQ health blog, committed to rigorous and accessible medical communication.