Renin Status in Association with Responsiveness to Behavioral Therapy in Hypertension

This double-blind experiment tested the hypothesis that renin is a mediator of neurogenic hypertension. Forty-three of 46 hypertensive (mean BP 142/94) were typed for renin index and treated by combinations of group therapy (n = 32) or placebo (n = 11). A treatment effect in the therapy group resided virtually in the high/normal renin subset (21 subjects, mean drop 6/6 mm Hg, p <.05/ <.02), and was not present in the low renin subset (11 subjects, mean change minus sign3/1 mm Hg). The renin index fell in the high/normal therapy subset of the whole therapy group (from mean 217 to 159) while that of the low renin subset rose (mean 35 to 85) p, < 0.01. Results show that renin-driven essential hypertension is a form of neurogenic hypertension and is susceptible to behavioral therapeutic approaches. In this regard, it warrents further study for clinical recognition for early application of angiotensin inhibiters and beta-adrenergic blockade.