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Written by Dr Serena Jones, GP
Dr Serena graduated from Manchester University in 2008 (MBChB).
She also holds the MRCGP, DRCOG and DFSRH.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often called “the silent killer”—and for good reason. Many people are unaware they have it, and even without obvious symptoms, consistently high blood pressure can quietly damage vital organs, leading to serious and sometimes life-threatening complications.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against artery walls as the heart pumps. When this pressure is raised, the heart and blood vessels are placed under strain.
For adults, hypertension is usually defined as:
Clinic readings: consistently above 140/90 mmHg
Home readings: consistently above 135/90 mmHg
How Hypertension Harms the Body: Damage
Damage may occur within hours during a hypertensive crisis, or build up silently over years of persistent undiagnosed or unmanaged high blood pressure
1. Damage to the Heart and Arteries: Persistent high pressure makes the heart work harder, which can lead to:
· Coronary heart disease: narrowed or blocked arteries raise the risk of heart attacks.
· Aneurysms: constant strain can weaken artery walls, creating dangerous bulges that may rupture.
· Heart failure: the heart muscle may thicken or weaken, reducing its pumping efficiency.
2. Increased Risk of Stroke: Hypertension is the single most important preventable risk factor for stroke. It can cause arteries in the brain to narrow, clog, or burst—leading to ischaemic or haemorrhagic strokes, both of which can cause long-term disability or death.
3. Kidney Damage: The kidneys filter waste from the blood, and ongoing high blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels within these organs, potentially leading to chronic kidney disease or, in severe cases, kidney failure.
4. Damage to Eyes and Other Organs: Hypertension can also affect the eyes, sometimes causing retinopathy (which impairs vision).
It also increases the risk of other complications, such as vascular dementia, peripheral artery disease and Erectile Dysfunction.
Why Early Detection matters
A big challenge with hypertension is that it rarely produces symptoms until significant damage has already occurred. This reinforces the importance of regular blood pressure checks—especially for those with additional risk factors like a family history, obesity, smoking, or diabetes.
The positive news is that lifestyle adjustments and, when required, medication can help control blood pressure and reduce the risk of serious complications. Actions such as reducing salt intake, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods and limiting alcohol have a noticeable impact.
Get you BP Checked!
If you haven’t had your blood pressure checked recently, make it a priority. Detecting hypertension early and treating it effectively is one of the best ways to protect your long-term health.
Using equipment like Kinetik Wellbeing’s BP monitors alongside tools such as ‘My Blood Pressure’ to keep track of your BPs and help you understand when you need to seek help. You can also get your BP checked at your GP surgery or in many pharmacies.
