17/05/2026
Today is World Hypertension Day and for many people, high blood pressure comes without any warning signs.
Rebecca Fitzsimons, 71, a retired French and English teacher from Clontarf in Dublin was very active and generally felt well. She had no symptoms, no warning signs and no reason to think anything was wrong. So when a GP check-up revealed she had high blood pressure, it came as a complete shock.
“I had nothing. I didn’t even get a headache, and I’m very active,” she says.
High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because it can have no symptoms. But it can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other serious conditions.
Rebecca’s first reading was borderline high. A follow-up appointment with her GP a month later confirmed the diagnosis.
Instead of ignoring it, she decided to take action.
She made simple but important lifestyle changes; losing weight, improving her sleep, avoiding late-night eating and switching to a Mediterranean-style diet.
Over time, those changes brought her blood pressure back to normal.
Now, Rebecca is encouraging others to get their blood pressure checked.
“I don’t want a sudden stroke. It’s the silent killer. I would be delighted if somebody could be alerted and say, ‘maybe I should get that checked’.”
Her story reflects a wider issue, many people in Ireland may have high blood pressure without even knowing it.
The reality is simple: you won’t know unless you get it checked.
✅ It’s quick
✅ It’s easy
✅ It could save your life
👉 Looking after your blood pressure starts with a simple check.
