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5 traîtres cachés de la santé qui vous trahissent secrètement

If you've been watching the hit TV series The Traitors, you will know the tension of seeing contestants try to work out who is secretly plotting against them. With Claudia Winkleman hosting in a Scottish castle, the drama comes from one simple question - who can you trust? 

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What makes the programme so compelling is the idea that the biggest threats are hidden. The traitors blend in, pretending to be loyal, until the moment they strike. It is a battle of suspicion, psychology and survival.  

But traitors are not only found in a castle. Your body can harbour its own traitors too. These are health conditions that lurk unnoticed, often with no warning signs, and put you at risk.  

Here are some of the most common silent traitors in your health, why they are dangerous, and how you can uncover them before it's too late.

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1. High blood pressure - the invisible saboteur

In The Traitors, players are eliminated when they least expect it. High blood pressure works in a similar way. You may feel perfectly well, yet persistently raised blood pressure can gradually damage your arteries and organs.  

Often called the 'silent killer', high blood pressure (or hypertension) is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. Because it rarely causes symptoms, many people only discover it after a routine check-up or following a medical emergency. 

How to catch it early

  • Blood pressure checks are quick and painless. They are available at GP surgeries, pharmacies, and you can buy reliable home monitors. 

  • Adults over 40 should have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. If you have risk factors, you may need it checked more often. 

Steps to take

  • Cutting back on salt, keeping to a healthy weight, exercising regularly and limiting alcohol can all help. 

  • If lifestyle changes are not enough, medicine can reduce your blood pressure and lower your risk of complications. 

On The Traitors, the deceivers stay safe by blending into the group. Hypercholestérolémie behaves much the same way. It is invisible, silent, and only detected through a test.  

Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your blood. We all need some cholesterol, but too much can build up in the arteries and increase your chance of heart attack and stroke. Like a traitor lying low, it does its damage quietly. 

How to catch it early

  • A simple blood test can measure cholesterol levels. 

  • Routine checks are offered to people at higher risk, such as those over 40, people with diabetes, or those with a family history of heart issues. 

Steps to take

  • A heart healthy diet that is lower in saturated fat, higher in fibre, and includes oily fish can help keep cholesterol in check. 

  • Medicines such as statines may be prescribed if lifestyle changes are not enough. 

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In the castle, traitors who avoid detection can change the course of the game over time. Diabète de type 2 is a slow-burn health condition that develops gradually and may not be noticed until years later.  

When blood sugar levels are persistently high, the body cannot use insulin properly. Left untreated, type 2 diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and increase the risk of heart disease.  

How to catch it early

  • Risk factors include being overweight, having a family history of diabetes, being over 40, or having South Asian, African-Caribbean or Black African heritage. 

  • A blood test can confirm if you have raised blood sugar levels. 

Steps to take

  • Weight management, healthy eating and regular exercise can all reduce risk and, in some cases, even reverse early type 2 diabetes

  • Medicines, including tablets and sometimes de l'insuline, can help keep blood sugar stable. 

In The Traitors, players often underestimate who the real threat is. Maladie rénale chronique is another example of a condition that works quietly in the background. Many people do not notice issues until their kidneys are severely affected.  

Your kidneys filter waste from your blood and balance fluids. When they are damaged, toxins build up and cause complications such as heart disease, bone weakness or kidney failure.  

How to catch it early

  • Blood and urine tests can pick up kidney issues before symptoms develop. 

  • People with diabetes or high blood pressure are at greater risk and should be tested regularly. 

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Some traitors in the show only reveal themselves at a dramatic moment. Ostéoporose is similar. You may not realise your bones are thinning until you have a fracture from a minor fall.  

Osteoporosis makes bones fragile and more likely to break. It is particularly common in older adults, especially women after the menopause. 

How to catch it early

Steps to take

  • Weight-bearing exercise, a calcium-rich diet et vitamine D are important for bone health. 

  • Treatments include medicines that strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fractures. 

The lesson from The Traitors is simple - vigilance is everything. In health, that means not waiting until your issues are obvious.

Instead: 

  • Attend routine health checks, such as the NHS Health Check if you are 40 to 74, or annual reviews if you have a long-term condition. 

  • Know your family history and share it with your GP. 

  • Do not ignore changes in your health, even if they seem minor. 

  • Use pharmacy services. Many now offer free checks for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes risk. 

In the game show, missing a traitor can cost players their prize fund. In real life, missing a hidden health condition can cost far more.

The good news is that you do not need to rely on suspicion alone. With regular check-ups, healthy lifestyle habits and early action, you can reveal the silent traitors before they do lasting damage. 

 

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About the author

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Thomas Andrew Porteus, MBCS

HealthTech

MBCS

Thomas writes to inform, inspire, and equip practice leaders and health professionals navigating change, drawing on two decades of hands-on work across the UK health system.

About the reviewerView full bio

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Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP

Médecin généraliste, Auteur médical

MBBS, MRCGP, MRCP (Paediatrics), DCH

Dr Colin Tidy is an NHS Doctor, based in Oxfordshire.

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