What is hypertension?
Hypertension is when the blood flowing through the arteries flows at a higher than normal pressure.  Hypertension is often referred to as the "silent killer" because there are many people who have had it for years and don't even know it. If not managed, hypertension can lead to much more serious conditions such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, and heart disease. Many of these conditions that can be results of having high blood pressure are often life threatening so it is vital that hypertension is well managed.

What causes hypertension? How can I prevent it?
Genetics, salt intake, and stress levels all play a major role in developing hypertension. If you know that hypertension is prominent in your family, you should make a conscious effort to minimize your risk factors my making lifestyle modifications such as diet, exercise, and not smoking.

What are the treatments for hypertension?
In addition to medication, lifestyle modifications are crucial in the treatment of hypertension. Another lifestyle change that can have a huge impact on the development of hypertension is alcohol. People who consume more than 2 drinks per day increase their risk for developing hypertension by almost two times. The more alcohol consumed, the higher the risk for hypertension.