'I could have been a ticking time bomb'

'I could have been a ticking time bomb' - Dublin mum urges people to get checked after shock diagnosis

A Dublin mum-of-four diagnosed with severely high blood pressure said she could have been a "ticking time bomb".

Lynda Sutton, 59, warned people to check their blood pressure after her shock diagnosis. Lynda, who works as a receptionist for a gym, rarely went to the doctor and thought she was "invincible" due to her active lifestyle.

The Donabate woman said: "But really, I could have been a ticking time bomb. I thought I was healthy before, but I have completely changed my diet. I’m eating plenty of fruit and veg and no salt.

"If the dog was sick, I would take her to the vet but if I was sick, I would never go to the doctor. That’s changed now and I know how important it is to get your blood pressure checked."

Lynda is urging people, particularly those over 50, to get their blood pressure checked as the Irish Heart Foundation has launched a "Before Damage is Done" campaign. The campaign aims to drive awareness of the link between high blood pressure and heart disease and stroke.

Also known as the "silent killer", high blood pressure affects two out of three over-50s - but because it is symptomless, half don’t know they have it.

Lynda revealed how her condition was discovered after the driver of the Irish Heart Foundation Mobile Health Unit parked near her local library in March and encouraged her to get a free heart health check. Severely high blood pressure was detected, and she was advised to see her GP, who put her on medication.

She said: "I told [my GP] I didn’t have stress or anxiety, I ate healthily and exercised with spin classes in the mornings. There is no high blood pressure in my family that I know of."

Medical Director of Irish Heart Foundation, Dr Angie Brown said: "The only way of finding out is to get it checked with your GP or local pharmacy as you will, most likely, have no symptoms. It is one of the most important risk factors for heart disease and stroke but there are many factors that affect your risk."

Dr Brown added high blood pressure is one of the few conditions that people have the power to successfully manage – but only if they know they have it. "Medication may be needed in addition to lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and embracing a balanced diet which limits salt intake. These changes can have a huge impact."

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