Millions of Americans Have High Blood Pressure and Don’t Know It
May 08, 2026
About 75 million Americans have high blood pressure, or hypertension. But almost half (46%) don’t realize their blood pressure is too high, quietly putting them at risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney problems, and heart failure. If you’re living with undiagnosed hypertension, you might feel perfectly fine while serious damage is happening behind the scenes.
The tricky part? Many people only discover they have high blood pressure during a routine checkup or after a health scare. High blood pressure is easy to miss without routine physical exams. Factors like stress, diet, genetics, and lifestyle all play a role.
The good news is that hypertension is easily detectable and highly manageable. With simple screenings and early action, you can take control before it causes bigger health challenges.
See William Condrell, MD, and our skilled experts at Condrell Primary Care in Washington, DC, or Bethesda, Maryland, for routine blood pressure screenings and treatment when necessary. Here’s what you should know, and why paying attention now can make all the difference.
High blood pressure often doesn’t cause symptoms until complications arise. However, if your blood pressure is very high, you might notice things like:
Some of these symptoms may indicate a heart attack or stroke, which is why it’s vital to seek medical attention right away.
Our Condrell Primary Care team screens for high blood pressure during primary care visits using a cuff and blood pressure machine. It’s a simple, painless process that takes just a minute or two.
We also evaluate your pulse and other vital signs, and review your medical history, lifestyle habits, and any concerning symptoms you might be experiencing. If you take blood pressure medications or other medicines, it’s important to let your provider know.
If you have specific risk factors or symptoms in addition to high blood pressure, you might need additional diagnostic tests. Examples include ambulatory monitoring for a longer assessment, an electrocardiogram (EKG), an echocardiogram, blood work, or stress testing.
There are many things you can do to reduce your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. We advise patients to:
If you currently take antihypertensive medications, these healthy habits may reduce the need to take medicine or allow you to take a lower dose. We also provide longevity care to boost life expectancy, support healthy aging, and enhance your quality of life.
If you don’t know your blood pressure numbers, there’s no better time than now to see where they’re at. Call or click online to schedule a blood pressure screening at your nearest Condrell Primary Care office in Washington, DC, or Bethesda, Maryland, today.