I’ve written many times about the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the most unbiased and authoritative group that reviews the literature on preventive healthcare.

Their latest recommendation is not surprising; it’s just a good reminder.  This week’s Annals of Internal Medicine has a USPSTF recommendation statement reaffirming their previous strong recommendation for periodic screening for high blood pressure for all adults.

The reasons are simple and well established by decades of studies.  High blood pressure doesn’t feel like anything; that’s why measuring it is necessary.  High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney disease, which are major causes of death and disability.  High blood pressure is very treatable with safe medications that dramatically reduce those risks.

So if your loved-one hasn’t seen her doctor in a couple of years because she feels fine, or if your coworker is blowing off his high blood pressure because it’s only “a little high”, get them to see their doctor.