High blood pressure is often called a silent killer for good reason; it rarely causes symptoms on its own, even as it quietly damages the heart, kidneys and blood vessels over years. Many people only discover they have it after a heart attack, stroke or kidney complication.
Across sub-Saharan Africa, roughly one in three adults lives with hypertension, and awareness remains low; many people who have it don’t know, and many who know aren’t on consistent treatment. A blood pressure reading takes only a few minutes and is one of the simplest checks in medicine.
Get your blood pressure checked regularly, even when you feel well, and follow through on treatment if you’re diagnosed. Our cardiology team can help you build a plan around diet, activity and medication where needed.
Photo: Pambelle12, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
