“Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer in the world,” says Wexler, “and the number one controllable risk factor [of CVD] is blood pressure.”  But it isn’t just heart disease. Wexler also noted that if your blood pressure stays elevated over time, it can cause damage to other organs like your kidney, brain, and even eyes.  “I have patients where their optometrist or ophthalmologist sent them in because they have vascular changes in the retina when they go in for their eye exam,” says Wexler. He adds that it can be difficult to get patients to focus on their blood pressure because, until it starts damaging your organs, it doesn’t cause any symptoms. You’ll feel fine even if your blood pressure is elevated.