Millions could be unknowingly carrying a dangerous health condition that barely shows any signs – but it has the potential to wreak havoc on your organs. Now, an expert has pointed towards "natural" ways that might help tackle high blood pressure.

Prof Tim Spector, who co-founded the Zoe Health Study, warned that this 'silent killer' is already impacting countless people across the globe, with cases climbing at an alarming rate. He's recently discussed how tweaking your diet and lifestyle can naturally lower your blood pressure, rather than relying entirely on pills, unless your GP tells you otherwise.

He said: "If I want to reverse high blood pressure, I want to increase your potassium intake. As always in nutrition, we've tended to overfocus on one element - salt.

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"Studies have shown that, as well as salt being important, things like potassium are actually even more important. You do that classically by giving some bananas, but also most green leaf vegetables also have high potassium intake.

"People on high plant diets are naturally getting a lot of potassium. The more you do that, you'll be able to improve your blood pressure naturally, even before going onto blood pressure medications."

Beet greens and Swiss chard come out on top for potassium-rich leafy greens, delivering a whopping 900-1,300mg per cooked cup. Beet greens are simply the edible leafy tops of the beetroot plant, reports the Express.

Other excellent choices include cooked spinach, which contains 839mg per cup, and bok choy. For maximum potassium, it's advisable to cook leafy greens, as cooking increases potassium levels.

According to the NHS website, high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) can result in serious complications such as heart attacks or strokes. When your blood pressure is raised, it places additional pressure on your blood vessels, heart and other vital organs, including your brain, kidneys and eyes.

Many people are unaware they're living with high blood pressure, as symptoms are rarely show themselves beyond easily overlooked signs like headaches and blurred vision. However, allowing this to remain unchecked can heighten the risk of complications such as heart failure, kidney disease and vascular dementia.

The condition is extremely common, particularly amongst older people. The only method to figure out if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured.

Pharmacies provide free blood pressure checks for those aged 40 and above. People can locate a nearby pharmacy offering free blood pressure monitoring. Some employers also provide blood pressure checks.

Beyond any prescribed blood pressure medication, adopting a range of healthier lifestyle habits can naturally lower your readings. Put simply, sticking to a "healthy, balanced diet" whilst clocking up "at least 150 minutes of exercise a week" could slash the dangers.

When it comes to potassium-packed fruits, dried varieties (apricots, raisins, prunes) top the list, alongside avocados, bananas, coconut water, guava, kiwifruit, and melons (cantaloupe, honeydew). Every fruit contains some level of potassium, so people can pick and mix their favourites to reap extra rewards.

The NHS website also warns against consuming "too much salt", whether that's salty grub or sprinkling extra onto your dinner. Caffeine-heavy beverages - such as coffee, tea and cola - ought to be kept in check too.

Numerous medications are available to treat high blood pressure. Which one's right for you hinges on factors including how elevated your blood pressure is, plus your age and ethnic background.