I never thought much about my blood pressure until one day at a routine check-up, the doctor looked concerned. “It’s quite high,” she said. I felt fine, but she explained how high blood pressure (hypertension) damages the heart and can lead to strokes or kidney disease.

The worst part? It has no symptoms. That’s why it’s called the silent killer. My daily habits—salty snacks, stress, and lack of exercise—were making it worse.

I started with small changes: reducing salt, eating more veggies, walking daily, and managing stress with meditation. Within months, my numbers improved. High blood pressure isn’t always noticeable, but controlling it can save your life.