Actor and director Aisha Tyler, known for roles on Criminal Minds and Archer, says her father’s major stroke prompted her to take blood pressure and preventive health much more seriously. Because he was fit and active, the stroke surprised her and highlighted that hypertension doesn’t always show obvious signs.
Tyler partnered with the CDC Foundation on the Hypertension Bites campaign to help adults understand high blood pressure and how to manage it, especially during midlife. Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, which, if uncontrolled, is the leading risk factor for heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, aortic dissection, kidney failure, and dementia.
Cardiologist Bhavna Suri, MD, explains that long-term high blood pressure can thicken and weaken the heart (left ventricular hypertrophy), damage retinal blood vessels causing blurred vision or blindness, and contribute to atherosclerosis, which may lead to erectile dysfunction. Because hypertension is often asymptomatic, people commonly attribute mild symptoms—headaches, dizziness, vision changes, fatigue—to stress, aging, or lack of sleep rather than high blood pressure. Still, it’s a treatable chronic condition: many people keep their blood pressure in a healthy range through lifestyle changes and medication.
Tyler says the campaign gives people a simple place to start: visit your doctor, learn your numbers, and make a straightforward plan. Medication, when needed, is effective. “Out of sight, out of mind” is dangerous with hypertension—knowing your numbers is vital.
After her father’s stroke, Tyler wanted to understand her own risk and made lifestyle adjustments to reduce risks for stroke, kidney damage, and cognitive decline. She describes shifting from a “no-pain, no-gain” athlete’s mentality to prioritizing rest and recovery. She now aims for eight hours of sleep nightly, noting sleep’s broad impact on health and cognitive preservation.
Daily walks—often gentle, sometimes twice a day—help her reset the mind and manage stress. She listens to content focused on women’s health and optimization, and emphasizes stress reduction as part of her routine. Dietary changes include eating more vegetables and limiting junk food; she enjoys wine occasionally but focuses on balance so indulgences feel special.
Tyler admits she’s a workaholic and naturally busy, but as she’s gotten older she’s sought better work-life balance. She embraces ambition while prioritizing rest, creativity, and relationships. She stresses the importance of friendships and meaningful connections for staying active and engaged as you age.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
