Structural changes in resistance and capacitance vessels in borderline hypertension

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Vascular Biology
• Hypertension Research

Background:

• Resting vascular resistance can be normal in borderline hypertension, masking underlying vascular structural changes.
• These structural alterations significantly impact circulatory resistance and capacitance functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review studies on vascular structural changes in borderline hypertension (BHT).
• To explore the influence of factors like sodium intake on these vascular alterations.

Main Methods:

• Review of studies examining forearm vasodilator capacity in BHT.
• Assessment of forearm venous distensibility in BHT patients.
• Analysis of salt loading effects on vascular responses in hypertensive individuals.

Main Results:

• Limited forearm vasodilator capacity in BHT suggests structural changes in resistance vessels.
• Decreased forearm venous distensibility in BHT, linked to nonadrenergic mechanisms, indicates venous structural changes.
• Salt loading impaired vasodilator responses in salt-sensitive hypertensive patients, suggesting sodium's influence on vascular structure.

Conclusions:

• Structural changes in resistance and capacitance vessels occur early in human hypertension.
• These vascular changes are not solely adaptive responses to elevated blood pressure.
• Factors such as sodium intake and potential neurohumoral influences or primary vascular abnormalities contribute to these structural changes.