Jun 10, 2026 – McMaster University – High blood pressure is one of the most common health conditions affecting older adults. About 1 in 4 Canadian adults live with high blood pressure, but not everyone knows it. That is because high blood pressure is often called a “silent” condition. Most people feel perfectly well, even when their blood pressure is elevated. There may be no warning signs, symptoms, or changes in how you feel. Yet over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and dementia. The good news is that high blood pressure can be detected, monitored, and treated effectively.

In this must-see recording, family physician Dr. Doug Oliver explains what blood pressure numbers mean, why the new Canadian guideline has a target of 130 over 80, and how lifestyle changes and medications can help protect your long-term health.