Of the 1.3 million people worldwide with hypertension—or high blood pressure—nearly half don’t know it, according to a recent report by the World Health Organization.

Untreated hypertension can lead to stroke, heart disease, kidney damage and even dementia. It is the leading cause of premature death.

But high blood pressure can be addressed and treated, especially when patients develop a successful partnership with their care providers, said Bernice Coleman, PhD, ACNP-BC, director of Nursing Research at the Geri and Richard Brawerman Nursing Institute at Cedars-Sinai.

“Hypertension has no pain associated with it, so there’s no indication that your blood pressure is elevated unless you get it checked,” she said. “Once someone knows they have high blood pressure, they can learn what that means and what to do about it.”

Read: What to Know About High Blood Pressure in Young Men

A blood pressure reading measures the force of your blood pushing against your artery walls as it flows through your body. The larger number (systolic) is the pressure when your heart beats. The smaller number (diastolic) represents the pressure between beats.

If your reading is at or above 130/80 mm Hg, you may have high blood pressure.

Since hypertension usually has no symptoms, it can go unnoticed until it is measured. All adults should have their blood pressure checked at least once a year by a doctor or clinician, advised Natalie Bello, MD, director of Hypertension Research at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai. Devices found at drugstores may not be accurate, she said.

Patients who exercise regularly, eat a nutritious diet and don’t smoke can still inherit hypertension.

“We know hypertension risk is moderately heritable,” Bello said. “That’s why it’s so important to know your family medical history, in addition to your personal risk factors, and to get an accurate blood pressure reading.”

If your blood pressure is between 130/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg, you may be prescribed lifestyle changes to treat it. These include weight loss, exercise, quitting smoking, getting more sleep and changing your diet. Recommended dietary changes could include eating more fruits, vegetables and potassium-rich foods if your kidneys work normally as well as lowering the amount of salt you eat.

If your blood pressure is consistently at or above 140/90 mm Hg, you will likely need to also take medication, Bello said.

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure requires a partnership with your clinician (see sidebar).

“Listen to what your provider is telling you,” Coleman said. “Bring a notepad and take notes, or ask if you can record the conversation so you don’t miss anything. Buy a blood pressure cuff, and ask your provider to show you how to use it. Then track those numbers in a notebook, and talk to your doctor about any trends you see to understand what they might mean.”

Hypertension is one of the leading modifiable risk factors for disease, Bello said, meaning you can correct it to improve your health. By adopting a “prevention mindset,” you can make the necessary changes to lower your blood pressure and take charge of your wellbeing.

“The changes you make now can lower your risk for future disease and increase your chance for a full, healthy life,” Coleman said.

Read: High Blood Pressure: What Women Need to Know