A GP has warned that many people in England could be living with high blood pressure without realising it, a condition often called a “silent killer” because it typically causes no symptoms. If left untreated, it can increase the risk of a heart attack, kidney disease, vascular dementia or a stroke.
Dr Naveed Asif, a GP at The London General Practice, said: "Most people don’t even know they have high blood pressure because it doesn’t tend to cause symptoms, so it’s often referred to as a ‘silent killer'."
Millions unaware of their condition
Using data from the Our Future Health programme, researchers estimate that more than one in three adults in England has high blood pressure. However, around 59% of those affected don’t realise they have the condition.
Based on ONS figures, England’s population is more than 58 million as of mid-2025, meaning millions of people may be unaware they’re living with a potentially serious health risk. Because high blood pressure can stay hidden for a long time, the GP says it’s essential to take simple steps to keep it under control.
Lifestyle changes that can help
High blood pressure is becoming more common, particularly among older adults. But new data suggests only about half of patients being treated by their GP have it under control. A University of Oxford study of 1.4 million adults also found that most people in England with high blood pressure don’t realise they have it, raising their risk of stroke, heart attack and early death.
“One of the biggest things you can do is look at your diet,” says Dr Asif. He recommends a balanced, varied diet, and notes that the Mediterranean diet is often recommended. “The Mediterranean diet comprises of whole foods, fruits, reduced saturated fats and lean meats and avoids processed foods which is great for the heart,” says Asif.
Staying active helps strengthen the heart so it can pump blood more efficiently, reducing strain on arteries and helping lower blood pressure, according to the British Heart Foundation. “Keep it simple,” advises Asif. “I always advise my patients to incorporate some kind of movement into their lifestyle every day, whether that be getting off the bus one stop early, or going up the stairs rather than using a lift.”
Stress, salt, sleep, tobacco and alcohol
“When you’re stressed and anxious, your blood pressure goes up and chronic stress can be detrimental for your health,” says Asif. He suggests stepping back, closing your eyes, doing breathing exercises, or going for a walk to help the body relax.
On salt, Asif advises: “It’s not just about the table salt you are using while cooking because typically the majority of your salt comes from eating out or processed food, so be mindful about cumulative salt content over the space of a day.” He recommends sticking with whole foods and choosing unsalted or low-salt options where possible.
The British Heart Foundation says too little sleep, or poor-quality sleep, can affect the body’s ability to control blood pressure. “It’s important to make sure that you prioritise sleep and are consistent with your night time routine and with what time you go to bed,” explains Asif.
Quitting smoking and cutting back on alcohol can also make a difference. “Drinking alcohol is one of the biggest things that the majority of the public will do without realising that over time it’s directly contributing to high blood pressure,” says Asif. “Smoking is also associated with high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, so giving this up can have a positive impact.”
NHS advice and when to seek help
The NHS says if high blood pressure is not treated, it can increase the risk of serious conditions such as strokes, vascular dementia, kidney disease, heart failure, heart disease and heart attacks.
As high blood pressure does not usually cause any symptoms, the NHS stresses that "many people have it without realising it." But "rarely, high blood pressure can cause symptoms" such as chest pain, blurred vision and headaches.
You should get help from NHS 111 if you have other symptoms you're worried could be caused by high blood pressure, if you have chest pain that comes and goes, or if you often have headaches or blurred vision. Call 999 if you get pain that spreads to your left or right arm, or your neck, jaw, stomach or back; if you have chest pain and feel sweaty, sick, light headed or short of breath; or if you get sudden pain or discomfort in your chest that does not go away – the pain can feel like squeezing or pressure inside your chest, burning or indigestion. You could be having a heart attack, and need immediate treatment in a hospital.
