It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Nine out of ten Canadians will develop hypertension during their lifetime. High blood pressure has no warning signs or symptoms, which is why it is often called the “silent killer”. People who are at higher risk for developing hypertension:
- People who have a close blood relative with high blood pressure
- African Americans
- People over the age of 35
- Overweight people
- People who are not physically active
- People who consume too much salt in their diet
- People who drink too much alcohol
- People with diabetes, or kidney disease
- Pregnant women
- Women who take birth control pills, who are overweight, or had high blood pressure during their pregnancy
As of February 2010, Statistics Canada reports that 17% unaware of their condition; 4% aware but not treated and 14% treated by medication but not controlled.