Arterial stiffening provides sufficient explanation for primary hypertension.
Hypertension is one of the most common age-related chronic disorders, and by predisposing individuals for heart failure, stroke, and kidney disease, it is a major source of morbidity and mortality. Its etiology remains enigmatic despite intense research efforts over many decades. By use of empirically well-constrained computer models describing the coupled function of the baroreceptor reflex and mechanics of the circulatory system, we demonstrate quantitatively that arterial stiffening seems sufficient to explain age-related emergence of hypertension. Specifically, the empirically observed chronic changes in pulse pressure with age and the impaired capacity of hypertensive individuals to regulate short-term changes in blood pressure arise as emergent properties of the integrated system. The results are consistent with available experimental data from chemical and surgical manipulation of the cardio-vascular system. In contrast to widely held opinions, the results suggest that primary hypertension can be attributed to a mechanogenic etiology without challenging current conceptions of renal and sympathetic nervous system function.
Department of Mathematical and Technological Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
Klas H
KH
Pettersen
Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America.
Scott M
SM
Bugenhagen
Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Cardiac Exercise Research Group, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Javaid
J
Nauman
Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America.
Daniel A
DA
Beard
Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Cardiac Exercise Research Group, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Stig W
SW
Omholt
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017704:Baroreflex; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D059289:Vascular Stiffness