According to recent estimates, high blood pressure affects one in three U.S. adults. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. What's even more frightening about this condition is that most people don't even know they have it, as there are no symptoms. This is why high blood pressure is often called the "silent killer." Having your blood pressure checked on a regular basis is really the only way to tell if you have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure or hypertension occurs when there is a high pressure or tension of blood flow in the arteries. The arteries transport blood from a pumping heart to the rest of the body. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre-hypertension", and blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high blood pressure. The top number is called systolic blood pressure. This number represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood into them. The bottom number is called diastolic pressure, which represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes following the contraction.

An elevation of either systolic or diastolic blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart disease, kidney disease, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis), eye damage, and stroke (brain damage).

Many people seem to think that salt or sodium is the primary cause of high blood pressure but truth be told, this has only been shown to be relevant in "salt sensitive" people which is equal to about 10% of the population being affected by the condition.

So what is causing the elevation in the other 90%? Well, mineral deficiencies elevate blood pressure more than anything else. So logically, the first step one should take in an attempt to lower or regulate blood pressure is to prevent deficiencies. The most effective way to do so is by supplementing.

Studies have shown both magnesium and calcium to lower high blood pressure. I recommend taking a combination of 500 mg of calcium and 250 mg of magnesium twice daily.

Since the middle ages, hawthorn berries have been used to support the heart and normalize cardiovascular functions. Taking 250 mg of hawthorn three times daily is another great alternative for lowering high blood pressure because it is rich in bioflavonoids, which relax and dilate the arteries. These compounds contain powerful antioxidants, which help increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. The result is that when it comes to circulating the blood, the heart has less work. This in-turn reduces blood pressure and stress to the heart muscle. The bioflavonoid substances also improve blood flow to other areas of the body and strengthen the walls of blood vessels.

Components in hawthorn have also been shown to lower cholesterol, and the amount of plaque in arteries.

I also recommend taking 2-3 grams of vitamin c daily. Vitamin C aids the body in the production of a basic component of connective tissues called collagen. Collagen is a key structural component in gums, bones and most importantly blood vessel walls. Aside from that, Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant, which helps rid the body of free radicals.

As always, a proper diet and cardiovascular exercise doesn’t hurt either.