Long-term conditions · 5 min read · Updated October 2026
High blood pressure: the condition you cannot feel
Nearly half of adults with high blood pressure in Africa do not know they have it. Checking takes a minute and can prevent a stroke.
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High blood pressure (hypertension) usually has no symptoms. Left untreated, it is the leading cause of stroke, heart failure and kidney failure in Africa, and these are happening at younger ages than in Europe or America. The good news: it is easy to detect and, in most people, straightforward to control.
Know your numbers
Blood pressure is written as two numbers, such as 120/80. A reading of 140/90 or above on more than one occasion is high. Readings between 120/80 and 139/89 mean you should make changes now and re-check regularly. Many pharmacies and clinics will check it for free or a small fee.
What raises it
Too much salt (including stock cubes, seasoning powders and processed foods), being overweight, little physical activity, heavy drinking, smoking, long-term stress, and family history. Some conditions in pregnancy also raise it and need urgent care.
What you can do
Cut added salt and seasoning cubes; aim for less than a teaspoon of salt a day in total. Eat more vegetables, fruit, beans and whole grains. Walk briskly for 30 minutes most days. Limit alcohol. Stop smoking. These changes alone can bring many people's pressure down.
Medicines
If lifestyle changes are not enough, daily tablets are safe and effective. Most people need one or two. They work only if taken every day, including when you feel well. Do not stop because the numbers improve; the numbers improved because of the tablets. Tell your doctor if a medicine causes side effects, as there are many alternatives.
Follow-up by phone
Hypertension is well suited to remote care. Many patients buy a home blood-pressure monitor (around the price of a few consultations) and share readings with their doctor by video every few months, with a prescription renewed each time. Go to a hospital if you have a sudden severe headache, chest pain, weakness on one side, slurred speech or a reading above 180/120.
Emergency numbers
767 works in Lagos State; 112 is the national number. Numbers change: please check locally. If a number does not connect, go straight to the nearest hospital.
Related doctors
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