Even Celebrities Are Shocked — The Latest Science on Truly Dangerous Health Metrics

High blood pressure is a silent killer

On social media and YouTube, you might see claims like, “Blood pressure up to 160 is fine” or “No need to restrict salt.” When influencers or famous doctors say such things, some people might take it at face value. However, there is no scientific basis for these statements.

“In the clinic, a blood pressure reading above 140/90 mmHg is considered high. The treatment goal is below 130/80 mmHg, and for home measurements, ideally below 125/75 mmHg. Saying that 160 is safe is incorrect. The most dangerous aspect of high blood pressure is that the brain’s blood vessels can’t withstand the pressure and may rupture. Continuous high pressure gradually damages and thins the vessel walls. If a small vessel deep in the brain bursts, it leads to intracerebral hemorrhage.

Another major risk is a cerebral aneurysm, which is a balloon-like bulge in a blood vessel in the brain. High blood pressure can cause the aneurysm to expand and eventually rupture suddenly, resulting in subarachnoid hemorrhage or other life-threatening conditions. For people with high blood pressure, proper blood pressure control is essential to reduce the risk of vessel rupture,” explains Dr. Satoshi Ozaki, Director of Ebina Neurosurgery Clinic.

Thanks to antihypertensive medications and reduced salt intake, deaths from stroke, once the leading cause of death in Japan, have decreased—especially intracerebral hemorrhages. While lower blood pressure is generally better, it’s not that simple. Dr. Ozaki continues:

“The brain constantly requires a rich supply of oxygen and nutrients. If blood pressure is too low, blood flow to the brain can be insufficient, leading to localized oxygen deprivation and small cerebral infarctions. Some patients who think they might have dementia are found to have multiple tiny infarcts in the brain, partly due to excessively low blood pressure. The key is maintaining blood pressure within an appropriate range.”

Many people assume, “I’m fine,” but Dr. Ozaki warns that high or low blood pressure can progress without symptoms.

“This is why it’s called a silent killer. Blood pressure problems can strain the brain and heart without any obvious symptoms. Regular check-ups and home monitoring are essential. Home blood pressure measurements, taken in the morning and evening, are more accurate in reflecting daily conditions than clinic readings. Making a habit of measuring your blood pressure is the first step in protecting your health.”

Life-Threatening Two Types of High Blood Sugar

Recently, a celebrity jokingly posted on social media that their blood sugar was 2000, which sparked discussion. Of course, in reality, a blood sugar level of 2000 mg/dL would be instantly life-threatening. Yet, while such extreme numbers spread online, many people don’t fully understand which levels are actually dangerous or how risky they are.

“Blood sugar of 2000 is medically impossible. In reality, someone at that level would lose consciousness and require immediate intensive care. Numbers like these tend to circulate online for shock value, so it’s important not to take them literally,” explains Dr. Yoshimasa Goto, director of Goryokai Clinic Shirokane-Takanawa.

Sustained high blood sugar above certain thresholds can pose immediate life-threatening risks and long-term complications, including accelerated aging. Dr. Goto explains the two most critical conditions:

1. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
“When blood sugar exceeds 200 mg/dL, the body misinterprets that glucose cannot be used and begins breaking down fat, producing excessive ketones. This can cause nausea, abdominal pain, rapid deep breathing, and altered consciousness.”

Caution is particularly needed with SGLT2 inhibitors, increasingly prescribed for diabetes. While they aid weight loss and organ protection, they can sometimes trigger DKA even when blood sugar is below 200 mg/dL (“euglycemic DKA”). Medication should always be taken under a doctor’s guidance, and using it for dieting is not recommended.

2. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS)
“When blood sugar exceeds 600 mg/dL, body fluids become severely concentrated. This is more common in older patients with type 2 diabetes and often comes with confusion or seizures, with a higher mortality than DKA.”

A rapid rise in blood sugar can be dangerous even in the 200 mg/dL range. Once it exceeds 600 mg/dL, it becomes an emergency. This makes it clear that a value of 2000 mg/dL is not realistic.

Chronic high blood sugar is also dangerous, as diabetes is a breeding ground for complications such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and blindness. One factor drawing attention is AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-products).

“AGEs are aging substances formed when sugar binds to proteins or fats in the body. They harden blood vessels and trigger inflammation. When AGEs bind to their receptor (RAGE), chronic inflammation persists, accelerating not only complications but also Alzheimer’s disease and aging itself.”

Fluctuations in blood sugar are also a heavy burden on the body.

“Persistently high blood sugar is dangerous, but so are wide swings. A rapid rise can damage the vascular endothelium, while a sudden drop can cause palpitations, cold sweats, or severe drowsiness. Repeated fluctuations accelerate vascular aging and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.”

White rice, bread, and sugary drinks are especially likely to spike blood sugar. Strong sleepiness after meals may be a sign of blood sugar fluctuations.

“In reality, blood sugar around 200 mg/dL often produces no symptoms, and many people are only diagnosed with diabetes during a checkup. That’s why it’s essential to regularly monitor blood sugar and HbA1c at health examinations.”

HbA1c measures the proportion of hemoglobin in the blood that is bound to sugar, reflecting blood sugar levels over the past 1–2 months. For those in their 40s and older, an annual checkup is recommended. Lifestyle improvements may help return values to normal.

“For people at high risk of diabetes or currently under treatment, home glucose meters or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) are useful. Devices with sensors attached to the arm allow users to track blood sugar trends on a smartphone, showing which meals cause spikes and whether nighttime blood sugar drops too low. This is extremely helpful for daily management.”

Dr. Satoshi Ozaki – Director, NALU Medical Corporation. Graduated from Yamaguchi University School of Medicine. Specializes in stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, headaches, and other neurological conditions. Active in community and preventive medicine. Board-certified by the Japan Neurosurgical Society and Japan Stroke Society.

Dr. Yoshimasa Goto – After graduating from the National Defense Medical College, he worked in self-defense force hospitals, then became director of Takeuchi Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Clinic and currently serves as director of Goryokai Medical Corporation. Board-certified in internal medicine, anti-aging medicine, and cosmetic internal medicine; councilor of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Internal Medicine; certified in hot spring climate therapy and travel medicine; serves as school physician for multiple institutions and designated rare disease physician, among other roles.