Actor and director Aisha Tyler, known for roles on Criminal Minds and Archer, is raising awareness about preventing high blood pressure, a condition that affects nearly half of U.S. adults. She credits her father’s major stroke several years ago with prompting her to take potential risk factors, including blood pressure, much more seriously.
“My father had a pretty major stroke several years ago, and it really made me start to focus a bit more closely on my own potential risk factors, including blood pressure,” Tyler told Healthline. Because her dad was fit and active, the stroke was a shock. “[It] just made me realize that these factors don’t always reveal themselves in either lifestyle or in physical symptoms,” she said.
Tyler teamed up with the CDC Foundation to launch Hypertension Bites, a national campaign to help adults understand high blood pressure and steps to control it during midlife. Left uncontrolled, high blood pressure is the leading risk factor for heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, aortic dissection, kidney failure, and dementia.
“Over time, high blood pressure can cause chronic heart damage from excessive thickening of the heart muscle (left ventricular hypertrophy), eventually weakening the muscle and causing heart failure,” said Bhavna Suri, MD, cardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology. Damage to blood vessels in the eyes can cause hypertensive retinopathy and vision loss. High blood pressure can also contribute to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and conditions like erectile dysfunction.
Because hypertension is often asymptomatic and many people with high blood pressure feel fine, symptoms are frequently missed. When symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, vision changes, or fatigue do occur, they may be attributed to stress, aging, or lack of sleep rather than high blood pressure. Still, Suri emphasized that hypertension is treatable and controllable: while there’s no one-time cure, many people keep blood pressure in a healthy range with lifestyle changes and medication when needed.
Tyler said the campaign gives people a clear starting point: visit your doctor, learn your numbers, and put a simple plan in place. “If you have to go on medication, medications are really effective, and they can help you control your numbers,” she said. She also wants to demystify cardiovascular events. “[People think] it’s just something that’s a mystery. It runs in the family. But there’s just literally so many things you can do to mitigate that risk.”
After her father’s stroke, Tyler made lifestyle adjustments to reduce her own risk of stroke and other hypertensive outcomes like kidney damage and dementia. She described a philosophical change from a “no-guts, no-glory” approach as a younger competitive athlete to prioritizing rest and recovery. “Being well-rested isn’t just about good vibes. If I want to perform at my best level, I need to actually make rest a part of my routine,” she said. She feels better and is more fit now than 10 or 15 years ago because she changed how she cares for her body and mind.
Her practical habits include aiming for eight hours of sleep nightly, walking every day (sometimes twice) to reset the mind, and focusing on de-stressing. She listens to podcasts and YouTube content about women’s health and optimization. Tyler also emphasizes balanced eating—more vegetables, less junk food—and occasionally enjoying a glass of wine so social nights feel special.
Work-life balance is another focus. “I really like being busy. It is my natural state. I am a workaholic,” she said, but added that as she’s gotten older she’s prioritized balance, which makes her better at her job and more creative. She doesn’t apologize for being ambitious, but she now pursues that ambition more sustainably. Tyler also pays more attention to friendships and relationships, noting research that strong social connections help keep people active and connected as they age.
Through the Hypertension Bites campaign, Tyler hopes to encourage people to find out their blood pressure, understand their risk, and take manageable steps—whether lifestyle changes, medication, or both—to protect long-term health.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
