It is with a heavy heart that I write this article: tomorrow, I will bury a very dear aunt. For as long as I can remember, she battled hypertension, commonly known as “high blood pressure.”  Ten days ago, my aunt suffered a hypertension-induced stroke that catapulted her into a coma from which she never emerged.   Anyone wishing to avoid such a fate for themselves or their loved ones will want to visit healthline.com.

Written concisely, in easily digestible language for people who are not medical professionals, this comprehensive site provides readers with quality information concerning the disease.  Included are high blood pressure symptoms (some detectable, some not) and contributing physiological factors.  While many of us are aware of the most obvious causes of hypertension (i.e., hardening of the arteries and obesity), lesser-known factors include and are not limited to kidney disease, pregnancy-related disorders, and some Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications.

The keys to circumventing what is termed “the silent killer” are education/prevention and treatment.  These encompass proper nutrition and exercise, stress reduction, abstinence from cigarettes and alcohol, and minimizing the salt in one’s diet. Pharmacological treatments (anti-hypertensives) are also used.

For those who eschew traditional medicine, the site offers data concerning alternative approaches, such as Omega 3 fatty acids, Coenzyme Q-10, and specific herbs and food products classified as antioxidants.  However, the site cautions that these options should not be used alone, but should be combined with traditional medicine.

Even if you are not experiencing the high blood pressure symptoms defined in healthline.com, I urge you not to delay in perusing the website.  The information it furnishes could very well save your life.