A rampant chronic illness that often goes unnoticed was at the heart of a public health screening at City Hall in Hamilton for World Hypertension Day.

Physicians set up booths offering tests and physicals to raise awareness of high blood pressure.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, commended the turnout.

Ms Wilson said: “Unfortunately we know that there’s a big part of our population that doesn’t even know they have hypertension, and it’s only after it’s gone quite far are they seeing that they require some type of assistance.

“If you don’t know you have it, then you're not necessarily going to take steps to curtail it.”

This year’s theme for World Hypertension Day, on Friday, was “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It and Live Longer”.

It highlighted the threat posed by high blood pressure, particularly for low-income households, as well as ways to measure and manage the disease.

Ms Wilson told the crowd that the heart was “the silent hero, tirelessly pumping life through our veins”.

She added: “Heart health isn’t just a matter of existence — it’s the cornerstone of our wellbeing.

“By looking after our hearts, we ensure the efficient distribution of nutrients and oxygen throughout our bodies.”

Ms Wilson highlighted that hypertension was very common in Bermuda, with five in ten Bermudians suffering from the disease.

She added that she expected to get a more accurate reading of this problem with the launch of the Bermuda Health Council Amendment Act 2024, which would push for more patient data from healthcare workers.

Ms Wilson commended her team for organising several health awareness events throughout the year.

Dwayne Caines, the chief executive of the Corporation of Hamilton, pointed out that hypertension affected more than a billion people around the world, usually without symptoms.

He said that it “silently poses a grave risk to our health”, increasing chances of stroke and heart disease.

He reminded people to be mindful of their diets and lifestyle, encouraging the public to exercise and practise proper stress management on top of a healthy diet.

He said that embracing a healthy lifestyle at any age can help to lower chances of heart-related problems.

Mr Caines added: “Let us pledge to raise awareness to support one another on our health journeys, and strive for a future where hypertension no longer a silent threat, but a well-managed condition.”