In Jamaica, around one in three adults lives with high blood pressure, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The authorities also note that a significant proportion of people with hypertension are unaware they have the condition, increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications.

High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke in the country, which is why early diagnosis and proper management are considered priorities within the national non-communicable diseases strategy.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can occur at any age. Its prevalence in people in early to mid-adulthood has been rising globally. Bianca Bandarra, MBBS, a general practitioner and executive health physician at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, describes lifestyle factors that can influence risk and explains why treating high blood pressure early matters.