One in two French people with hypertension are unaware, whereas this chronic disease involves many cardiovascular risks, but also more risks of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Doctor Jimmy Mohamed, health consultant of Europe 1, calls for vigilance… day and night. 

It is not necessarily the disease that worries the most, because it is not "spectacular".

However, high blood pressure is wreaking havoc and affects one in three French people, particularly the elderly: the risk is 10% up to 35 years old, then gradually increases.

People over 65 have a 65% chance of developing this chronic disease, which weighs on our bodies during the day… but also at night.

Jimmy Mohamed, doctor and health consultant from Europe 1, is sounding the alarm. 

>> Find Jimmy Mohamed's column every morning at 8:37 am on Europe 1 as well as in replay and podcast here

An increased risk of Alzheimer's

First thing to know: you can have 15 or 16 tension permanently, without ever having the slightest symptom.

High blood pressure is therefore a "silent killer": those who suffer from it are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke, but also Alzheimer's.

Too high blood pressure damages blood vessels, especially in the brain. 

Second specialist's point: high blood pressure can also occur at night.

When we sleep, this blood pressure drops naturally, by 10 to 20%, like our heart rate.

But in some patients it does not decrease.

And here again, the risk of Alzheimer's is increased. 

Buy a blood pressure monitor as a family

How do you know if you are concerned?

By going to see a doctor to check his blood pressure, to be sure not to be part of the half of hypertensive French people who ignore themselves.

You can also buy a blood pressure monitor, to circulate within a family, for example.

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In the event of a positive diagnosis, a few simple rules can be put in place before any treatment: practice physical activity, try to lose weight if you are overweight, limit your salt and alcohol consumption.

As for "nocturnal" arterial hypertension, it is useful to work on resolving sleep disorders, because we know that insomniacs have two to three times more risk of developing this disease than others.