High blood pressure (hypertension) is called the 'silent killer' because it usually causes no symptoms while quietly straining your heart, kidneys and blood vessels.
Many people first learn they have it only after a complication. That's why routine blood-pressure checks, together with tests for kidney function, blood sugar and cholesterol, matter — they reveal the full picture of your cardiovascular risk.
Lifestyle changes — reducing salt, staying active, managing stress and limiting alcohol — can lower blood pressure significantly, and are more effective when started early.
If you're over 30, overweight, or have a family history, an annual cardiac-risk screen is a small step that can prevent heart attacks and strokes.