Hypertension and cerebrovascular damage.

Hypertension is the most important modifiable factor for cerebrovascular disease. Stroke and dementia are growing health problems that have considerable social and economical consequences. Hypertension causes brain lesions by several mechanisms predisposing to lacunar infarctions, leucoaraiosis, and white matter changes as well as to intracerebral haemorrhages.

Prolonged QT interval and reduced heart rate variability in patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension.

A prolonged QT interval is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease in hypertensive subjects. Heart rate variability (HRV) is both an index of autonomic function and an important prognostic factor in several diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relation between a prolonged QT interval and autonomic nervous system function in patients with untreated uncomplicated essential hypertension.

Adrenal endothelin-1 levels are not associated with aldosterone secretion in primary aldosteronism.

Background: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) may function as an aldosterone secretagogue and, in turn, aldosterone can upregulate ET-1 expression. Hence, the existence of a feedforward loop involving ETs and aldosterone has been speculated in primary aldosteronism (PA). In the present study, we sought to examine ET-1 secretion from the adrenal glands in patients with PA.

Cognitive decline and low blood pressure: the other side of the coin.

Low blood pressure has been found to be associated with cognitive decline and dementia in cross-sectional studies. Two mechanisms have been proposed to interpret this association: blood pressure levels decrease during the course of the dementia process, and low blood pressure induces or accelerates cognitive decline by lowering cerebral blood flow. Results of the prospective studies are contradictory.

Hypertension and cognitive function.

Arterial hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, and dementia are related pathologies. This paper has reviewed comparatively the incidence of arterial hypertension and adult-onset dementia disorders. Hypertension is associated with cerebrovascular disease, which is in turn associated with dementia.