Research issues and ethnic implications in essential hypertension.
Traditional discussion of the etiology of essential hypertension has often included renal, neural, familial, and genetic theories as well as dietary salt intake. Recent findings suggest a prominent role for abnormal cation metabolism, impaired membrane transport systems, hyperinsulinemia, and psychosocial and behavioral factors. These recent advances in hypertension research suggest that a variety of interrelated factors lead to common pathways for the development and maintenance of hypertension and that a single cause of essential hypertension is less likely. A survey of these hypotheses is presented, and those that seem most likely to lead to common pathways for hypertensive phenomena or underlie established ethnic differences in hypertension are discussed in detail. The future application of molecular genetics and biochemistry of vascular and cardiac myocyte growth to hypertension epidemiology holds great promise for understanding the etiology and course of essential hypertension.
Mensah
G A
GA
Division of Cardiology, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York.
D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior; D044383:Black People; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D012106:Research; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D012965:Sodium Chloride
D007328:Insulin; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012964:Sodium; D002118:Calcium