[Na K ATPase activity and pulmonary hemodynamics in the development of arterial hypertension]

A total of 116 subjects with borderline hypertension, 67 relatives of normotensive probands and 29 relatives of hypertensive probands were examined. The activity of Na,K-ATPase in the red blood cells and pulmonary hemodynamics were studied by kinetocardiography. The normotensives with a family history of essential hypertension and subjects with borderline hypertension were found to have elevated pulmonary systolic pressure. The changes were coupled to lower erythrocyte Na,K-ATPase activity, which seems to suggest that endogenous ouabain-like factor that inhibits the enzymatic activity is present in plasma.