“I didn’t realise I had high blood pressure”

High blood pressure often has no warning signs. 

That’s why it’s known as the “silent killer” –and why a simple blood pressure test can make all the difference.

Joanne*, a 46-year-old marketing executive, had no idea that she was living with high blood pressure until she visited her gynaecologist. “I’d actually scheduled an appointment because I was experiencing many symptoms I thought might be associated with perimenopause – but, when my doctor took my blood pressure as part of my examination, she realised I was in the danger zone.”

Joanne is lucky her doctor caught her condition in time. Left untreated, it may have escalated, with serious consequences.

The silent killer

Dr De Vries Basson, a physician specialising in internal medicine at Mediclinic Durbanville, explains that hypertension, or high blood pressure, does not present symptoms until it’s too late. By the time you experience symptoms such as blurry vision, vomiting, chest pain and anxiety, you may already be in the middle of a hypertensive crisis, an event that requires urgent medical attention.

This is why it’s crucial to have your blood pressure checked regularly, he explains. High blood pressure is also a major risk factor in several potentially serious events, from stroke to infarction – a condition where a lack of blood supply leads to the death of tissue.

Dr Basson points out recent World Health Organization data showing how serious high blood pressure can be. Fewer than one in five of the 1.1 billion adults worldwide with high blood pressure have it under control. In South Africa, almost 400 strokes happen every day — about 132 000 a year — and around 110 people die from strokes daily.

Many people think high blood pressure is only a concern as you get older, but that’s not true. According to figures from the World Stroke Organization, over 1.9 million people aged 15-49 experience a stroke each year. “This shows how important it is to know your blood pressure, no matter your age,” Dr Basson says.

He explains that it’s also crucial to know what your blood pressure does at night, not just during the day. Normally, it drops by about 20% while you sleep. If it doesn’t, your risk of stroke or heart disease is about 20% higher. For this reason, people with uncontrolled blood pressure are at particular risk at night.

Dr Basson recommends doing a 24-hour blood pressure check at least twice a year.

The case for regular monitoring

Blood pressure monitoring becomes even more important if you “ignore the basics of self-care,” says Dr Basson. Those basics include getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. When these habits slip, your risk of developing hypertension rises – and so does your risk of diabetes and metabolic diseases such as a heart attack. These conditions can increase the chance of disability and even death. “Being aware of your blood pressure is more than assuring longevity, however, it means living well. The goal is to enjoy your years to the full – and any underlying conditions may compromise this.”

To help control your blood pressure, aim to maintain a healthy weight. People carrying excess weight, especially around the waist, face a higher risk. Regular exercise supports weight management, and so does eating a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats and high in fibre. It's also important to watch your salt intake. Cutting back on alcohol, quitting smoking and managing stress can further support healthy blood pressure.

If you experience recurring symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue or shortness of breath, make sure to speak to your doctor.