Called the “silent killer,” hypertension rarely produces overt symptoms and can be deadly if left uncontrolled.

Cardiomegaly is an enlarged heart and a symptom of cardiomyopathy, or disease of the heart. Cardiomegaly occurs from multiple causes, and poorly controlled high blood pressure is a common factor.

Approximately 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hypertension can lead to heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S..

Valerian root is a common herb found in dietary supplements sold in the United States. It is also sold as herbs and tincture for teas, in capsule form and in dried root extracts. It is commonly used as an adjunct in the treatment of insomnia, as well as an anxiolytic to treat anxiety disorders.

High sodium diets are more often linked to high blood pressure than those low in this mineral. While sodium is important to maintaining blood pressure, low levels don’t cause a rise in blood pressure. Instead, you may suffer other complications from too little sodium in the body.

Calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers are both medicines used to treat hypertension and abnormal heart rhythms. Calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem, prevent calcium from getting into heart muscle cells and smooth muscle cells surrounding arteries.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, elevated blood pressure affects 74.5 million people in the United States per year. Untreated elevated blood pressure produces heart disease and stroke. Heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death in the United States.

Many people ingest caffeine on a daily basis, whether through coffee, tea or soft drinks. Energy drinks, chocolate and some medications may also be sources of caffeine. While this habit may not create any problems for most people, caffeine can have an impact on your blood pressure.

Melatonin is a natural sleep supplement often used for those with jet lag or other disorders related to circadian rhythms. However, it is possible that in addition to regulating sleep, it may be a useful treatment for some chronic conditions, including high blood pressure.

Commercial table salt consists mainly of sodium chloride, an electrolyte mineral compound that directly affects human blood pressure. When you consume salt, it dissolves in food liquid and stomach fluid, and your body absorbs the minerals when they reach your small intestine.

Beta blockers are a class of medications used to treat conditions that include heartbeat abnormalities, heart failure, chest pain and high blood pressure, states MayoClinic.com. When you take beta blockers, they slow your heart rate, and this heart rate decrease may change your body’s reactions to exercise.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, accounts for more than 23,000 deaths in the United States annually, and affects one in three non-institutionalized Americans in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.