'Unfortunately you wouldn't know': Pharmacist issues 'silent killer' warning

'Unfortunately you wouldn't know': Pharmacist issues 'silent killer' warning One in three adults have a condition which has few symptoms yet can cause heart attacks and strokes - what you need to know One in three adults in England are believed to have high blood pressure putting strain on their heart and artreries which can lead to strokes, heart attacks and other health problems. According to Blood Pressure UK high blood pressure is the third biggest risk factor for all disease in the UK after smoking and poor diet. The charity explains: "High blood pressure is responsible for more than half of all strokes and heart attacks. High blood pressure is also a risk factor for heart disease, kidney disease and vascular dementia." Yet it warns: "Half of people with high blood pressure are not diagnosed or receiving treatment. In England alone, there are more than five million people that are undiagnosed. "High blood pressure rarely has any symptoms which is why it is called the ‘silent killer’. The only way to know you have the condition is to get your blood pressure measured." Now pharmacist Raj R Patel, has taken to TikTok to dispel some key myths around the condition as well as what to do to make sure you are not unknowingly at risk. Posting as Pharmacist Health Raj he warned people thinking they would know if their blood pressure was high - "unfortunately, you probably wouldn’t". He said: "High blood pressure — hypertension — usually has no obvious symptoms. That is one reason Blood Pressure UK’s 2026 Know Your Numbers! Week message is: “You know your age, do you know your numbers?” The campaign, running this week until September 13, is aiming to reminds adults from their 20s through to their 80s that undiagnosed high blood pressure can occur without obvious warning signs. The pharmacist has now shared eight blood-pressure myths which he says are "worth clearing up". High blood pressure always gives you headaches The expert says: "Usually, it doesn’t. Most people with hypertension have no symptoms at all. You cannot reliably judge your blood pressure by how you feel." One high reading means I have hypertension "Not necessarily," he explains. "If clinic blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher, NICE recommends repeat measurement and, for most readings between 140/90 and 180/120, confirmation using 24-hour ambulatory monitoring (ABPM) or properly performed home monitoring." It was normal once, so I’m fine forever Blood pressure changes with age, health, lifestyle and time. "A reassuring reading today does not guarantee your blood pressure will always remain normal," he says. Talking during the test doesn’t matter "Technique matters," says the pharmacist. "NICE says measurements should be taken in a relaxed setting with the person quiet and seated, their arm supported and the correct cuff size used." Home blood-pressure machines are useless No. Proper home readings can be extremely useful, he says. "NICE specifically recommends home blood-pressure monitoring (HBPM) when 24-hour monitoring is unsuitable or not tolerated, and it can help identify white-coat or masked hypertension. "For diagnosis, NICE recommends 2 readings at least 1 minute apart, morning and evening, for at least 4 days and ideally 7. Day 1 is discarded and the remaining readings are averaged." Only older people need to know their numbers Age increases risk — but younger adults are not immune, says the pharmacist. "Blood Pressure UK’s 2026 campaign deliberately says: “You know your age, do you know your numbers?” and encourages adults across the age range to get checked." I feel healthy, so I don’t need my blood pressure checked "That is exactly why hypertension can remain undetected." says Raj. "The NHS says there are usually no symptoms, yet untreated high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and vascular dementia." Medicine is the only way to lower blood pressure Not true, explains the expert. He says depending on your blood pressure and overall cardiovascular risk, management may also involve: • losing excess weight • reducing salt • regular physical activity • moderating alcohol • stopping smoking • improving your overall diet Medication is added when clinically appropriate — for example when blood pressure is very high, cardiovascular risk is increased, or lifestyle measures alone have not achieved sufficient control. What numbers matter? In the UK, blood pressure is generally considered high at 140/90 mmHg or above in clinic or 135/85 mmHg or above when averaged at home. He adds: "Don't wait for high blood pressure to introduce itself. Know the number first. "Measure properly. Confirm the pattern. Treat the risk." Symptoms of high blood pressure According to the NHS high blood pressure is very common, especially in older adults. It advises: "There are usually no symptoms, so you may not realise you have it." Things that increase your chances of having high blood pressure include: - your age – you're more likely to get high blood pressure as you get older - having close relatives with high blood pressure - your ethnicity – you're at higher risk if you have a Black African, Black Caribbean or South Asian ethnic background - having an unhealthy diet – especially a diet that's high in salt - being overweight - smoking - drinking too much alcohol - feeling stressed over a long period It adds: "High blood pressure does not usually cause any symptoms. Many people have it without realising it. "Rarely, high blood pressure can cause symptoms such as: - headaches - blurred vision - chest pain "But the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to get your blood pressure checked."