5 hidden health traitors secretly betraying you

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.

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. 

2. High cholesterol - hiding in plain sight 

On The Traitors, the deceivers stay safe by blending into the group. High cholesterol 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. 

3. Type 2 diabetes - the long game player

In the castle, traitors who avoid detection can change the course of the game over time. Type 2 diabetes 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.  

4. Kidney disease - the traitor in the shadows 

In The Traitors, players often underestimate who the real threat is. Chronic kidney disease 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.  

5. Osteoporosis - hidden until the fall  

Some traitors in the show only reveal themselves at a dramatic moment. Osteoporosis 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 unmask your health traitors 

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.