Current Hypertension Reviews - Volume 5, Issue 4, 2009

Over the last ten years it has become clear that vascular actions of insulin extend beyond its ability to increase skeletal muscle blood flow and glucose uptake. In addition to its role in regulating glucose, protein, and fatty acid metabolism insulin exhibits distinct effects on the vascular system. In this review we will clarify the influence exerted by insulin in the maintenance of endothelial function and the relationship betw Read More

Stroke is a great matter of interest especially in the industrialised countries, because of pronounced morbidity and mortality. Recurrent ischemic brain attacks are usually caused due to embolism by arrhythmic heart diseases or by occlusive disease of carotid artery (CA) due to atherosclerosis, furthering with risk factors such as hypertension, metabolic disorders, smoking, and other life-style factors. In patients Read More

The endothelium is a rich source of biological mediators that serve to control blood flow, temper inflammation and maintain local homeostasis. Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is the prototype of these molecules and is critical in preventing the initiation and progression of vascular disease. Consistent with a central role for NO in vascular disease, disruptions in its production and/or bioavailability have been linked to h Read More

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is more common in men and postmenopausal women than premenopausal women, suggesting vascular benefits of female sex hormones. Studies on the vasculature have identified estrogen receptors ERa, ERβ and a novel estrogen binding membrane protein GPR30, that mediate genomic and/or non-genomic effects. Estrogen promotes endothelium-dependent relaxation by inducing the produ Read More

The lack of effective hypertension management increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Issues of compliance to antihypertensive treatment are commonly seen as the main cause of not obtaining optimal blood pressure control, despite the availability of clinically well tolerated antihypertensive drug therapies. Our focus will be, therefore, on factors related to patient, physician and health care delivery process re Read More

Childhood obesity is associated with a significant increased risk for several metabolic and cardiovascular complications, including hypertension. The main mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of high blood pressure in relation to increased body weight are insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity and alterations in vascular structure and function. Obesity-relate Read More

Endovascular renal arterial interventions remain important treatment strategies for symptomatic renal artery stenoses causing either renovascular hypertension, renal insufficiency, or cardiac disturbance syndromes. Since endovascular intervention has not been shown to be efficacious over optimal medical therapy, it should be reserved for certain specific indications, as well as whenever medical therapy has failed. This revie Read More