![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Rebecca-Fitzsimons.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRebecca Fitzsimons, 71, told how despite being generally well, she was diagnosed with the condition, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, dementia and some forms of blindness<\/p>\n
Retired teacher Rebecca Fitzsimons urges everyone to have their blood pressure checked <\/p>\n
An elderly woman who had high blood pressure<\/a> has urged others to get theirs checked after research revealed the ‘silent killer’ is not being properly diagnosed or treated among the over-50s.<\/p>\n Rebecca Fitzsimons, 71, told how, despite being generally well, she was diagnosed with the condition, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, dementia and some forms of blindness.<\/p>\n The retired French and English teacher said: “I had nothing. I didn\u2019t even get a headache, and I\u2019m very active.”<\/p>\n The Dubliner<\/a> spoke out as part of the ‘Before Damage is Done’ campaign – an Irish Heart Foundation initiative to drive public awareness about the dangers of high blood pressure \u2013 which often arises without any prior symptoms.<\/p>\n Ms Fitzsimons explained that her initial, borderline high blood pressure reading late last year was confirmed as high a month later by her GP.<\/p>\n Using a blood pressure monitor<\/p>\n She said this prompted her to make lifestyle changes – which involved shedding weight, shifting to a Mediterranean-style diet, cutting out eating late at night, and improving her sleep habits.<\/p>\n Ms Fitzsimons said her blood pressure has now returned to normal but has urged others to get theirs checked.<\/p>\n She explained: “I don\u2019t want a sudden stroke. And it\u2019s the silent killer. I would be delighted if somebody could be alerted and they say, ‘oh my God, maybe I should get that checked’.<\/p>\n “You feel better about yourself when you\u2019re proactive.”<\/p>\n It comes as research published by Trinity College<\/a> revealed “substantial and persistent gaps” in the diagnosis and management of high blood pressure among the over-50s in Ireland.<\/p>\n It found that 62 per cent of adults aged over 50 with high blood pressure were not appropriately managed, meaning they were undiagnosed, untreated, or treated but not controlled – this equates to approximately 445,000 people nationwide.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_GettyImages-1379324248.jpg\")
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