[HTML][HTML] Molecular mechanisms of human hypertension

RP Lifton, AG Gharavi, DS Geller - Cell, 2001 - cell.com
RP Lifton, AG Gharavi, DS Geller
Cell, 2001cell.com
). Despite the important role of hypertension as a cause of disease, its pathogenesis remains
largely unknown. Recently, the application of genetic approaches to this disease has begun
to delineate molecular pathways underlying blood pressure variation, defining disease
pathogenesis and identifying targets for therapeutic intervention. This review focuses on the
molecular mechanisms that have been implicated in blood pressure variation in
humans.Each cycle of cardiac contraction propels a bolus of 70 mls of blood into the …
). Despite the important role of hypertension as a cause of disease, its pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Recently, the application of genetic approaches to this disease has begun to delineate molecular pathways underlying blood pressure variation, defining disease pathogenesis and identifying targets for therapeutic intervention. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms that have been implicated in blood pressure variation in humans.
Each cycle of cardiac contraction propels a bolus of 70 mls of blood into the systemic arterial system, perfusing organs with oxygen and nutrients. This propulsion imparts pressure on the vascular wall, the level of pressure depending solely upon the cardiac output (the amount of blood pumped by the heart) and the resistance to flow imparted by the vasculature. Because of the episodic ejection of blood from the heart, pressure in the vessels shows periodic variation, being highest at the peak of a passing bolus of blood, and lowest after its passage. These respective peak and trough pressures correspond to the systolic and diastolic pressures that can be measured intraarterially or more commonly by a blood pressure cuff. Population studies demonstrate that levels of blood pressure in the population show a continuous distribution.
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