“I thought I was healthy.”
Susan was 59 years old. She exercised occasionally, ate reasonably well, and never needed medication. She had not seen a doctor for many years because she “didn’t need to.” One week, she developed a small headache that lingered for two days. It didn’t seem serious.
Then one morning, she collapsed at home. In the emergency room, she learned for the first time in her life that her blood pressure was 220 over 108 — dangerously high. The diagnosis was severe hypertension. The high pressure had caused a stroke and brain bleed.
After a lifetime of independence, Susan was suddenly wheelchair-bound.
The moral of the story is simple: high blood pressure often gives no warning until it is too late.
Why Hypertension Is Called the “Silent Killer”
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is known as the “silent killer” because most people who have it feel completely fine. There are usually no symptoms, yet over time it quietly damages vital organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.
Without treatment, this constant high pressure weakens blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and other serious complications.
You might not know anything is wrong — until a major event happens, like what Susan experienced.
What Is Hypertension?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. When that force stays too high for too long, it’s called hypertension.
According to Hypertension Canada, blood pressure is considered high when it remains at or above 130 over 80 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) on repeated measurements.
There are two main types of hypertension:
Primary (essential) hypertension: This is the most common type. It develops gradually over many years, often related to lifestyle factors like diet, stress, and genetics.
Secondary hypertension: This happens when another health issue causes high blood pressure. Examples include kidney problems, certain hormones, sleep apnea, or specific medications. In these cases, treating the cause can improve blood pressure.
How Common Is It?
High blood pressure is one of the most common conditions in Canada.
• About one in four Canadian adults live with hypertension.
• Many more have slightly elevated readings without realizing it.
• The risk increases with age, lack of exercise, high salt intake, obesity, and family history.
The concerning part is that many people have high blood pressure and feel completely normal.
Why You Might Not Know You Have It
High blood pressure often causes no warning signs. Some people may have mild headaches or dizziness, but most have no symptoms at all. Meanwhile, the blood vessels are under constant stress.
Over time, this can lead to:
• Stroke: Sudden loss of blood flow or bleeding in the brain.
• Heart attack: Blocked blood flow to the heart muscle.
• Heart failure: The heart becomes weak and cannot pump blood effectively.
• Kidney damage: The small filters in the kidneys are scarred, leading to kidney failure.
• Vision loss: The delicate blood vessels in the eyes can burst or leak.
• Aortic aneurysm: The main artery leaving the heart can bulge like a balloon and may rupture, causing life-threatening internal bleeding.
Each of these outcomes can be devastating — and all can result from untreated hypertension.
How Hypertension Is Diagnosed
The first step is simple: check your blood pressure.
Doctors measure it using a cuff around your arm. Because readings can vary, your blood pressure should be measured on more than one occasion.
At Infiniti Medical Clinic, we take this one step further with Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM).
What Is ABPM?
ABPM is a special device you wear for 24 hours that automatically measures your blood pressure throughout the day and night — while you work, rest, and sleep.
It gives a much more accurate picture of your blood pressure pattern and helps identify:
• “White coat hypertension” — when blood pressure rises only in the clinic but is normal at home.
• “Masked hypertension” — when clinic readings look normal but are high during daily life.
This detailed report helps your doctor confirm whether you truly have hypertension before starting long-term treatment.
We also offer Electrocardiogram (ECG) testing at our clinic. ECGs record your heart’s electrical activity and help detect heart strain, irregular rhythms, or early damage related to high blood pressure.
Together, ABPM and ECG testing give a complete view of your heart and vascular health.
Managing High Blood Pressure
The good news is that hypertension is treatable and manageable once identified.
Lifestyle Changes
Healthy habits are the foundation of blood pressure control:
• Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Reduce salt and processed foods.
• Exercise regularly — even brisk walking helps.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol.
• Manage stress through relaxation or mindfulness.
• Get enough sleep and avoid excessive caffeine.
Medications
If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, your doctor may recommend medication. These medications help relax blood vessels, remove extra salt and water, or slow your heart rate to lower pressure safely.
Your doctor will tailor your treatment plan to your needs and monitor your progress over time.
The Role of Your Physician and Clinic
Your family doctor plays a vital role in detecting and managing hypertension early.
At Infiniti Medical Clinic, we:
• Offer accurate blood pressure checks during physicals and walk-in visits.
• Provide 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for precise diagnosis.
• Perform ECG testing to assess heart function and detect strain or rhythm problems.
• Evaluate risk factors and create personalized management plans.
• Offer continuous monitoring and follow-up to keep your blood pressure controlled.
Sometimes, a few extra minutes during your annual check-up can prevent a lifetime of complications.
Why Regular Checkups Matter
Hypertension develops silently, often over years. The only way to know is to measure it.
If you’re over 40, or have risk factors such as family history, stress, or an inactive lifestyle, make blood pressure checks a regular part of your health routine.
Catching it early allows for simple treatment — and prevents life-altering events like strokes or heart attacks.
Your Health Is Worth It
High blood pressure is common, dangerous, and silent — but with the right tools, it’s completely manageable.
Book your blood pressure check-up at Infiniti Medical Clinic today. Ask about our Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring and ECG testing for a complete and accurate heart health assessment.
Infiniti Medical Clinic — your partner in prevention and wellness.
References
- Hypertension Canada guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in adults.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40419299/?utm_source=chatgpt.com - Health Reports – Blood pressure, hypertension and leading risk factors. Statistics Canada.
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/190220/dq190220a-eng.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com - Risk factors for hypertension in Canada: physical activity, diet, BMI, diabetes, kidney disease.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30785634/?utm_source=chatgpt.com - Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada – High blood pressure.
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart-disease/risk-and-prevention/condition-risk-factors/high-blood-pressure?utm_source=chatgpt.com - Hypertension Canada – Diagnosis and Assessment Guidelines.
https://hypertension.ca/guidelines/diagnosis-assessment/diagnosis-assessment-diagnosis/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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