One of hypertension's most insidious characteristics is the rapid pace at which it develops and worsens, setting individuals up for heart disease and stroke. Rising blood pressure is not a linear process. It goes exponentially, and as blood vessels start to respond to higher pressure, they develop hypertrophy, which causes further aggravation of hypertension. One in four U.S. adults has high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third of these people don't know they have it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. Also important for the heart and blood pressure are the minerals, Potassium and Magnesium. Low levels of Potassiumand Magnesium are associated with high blood pressure.
