[Genetic basis of arterial hypertension: new findings in molecular research methods]

Arterial hypertension is thought to derive from an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Primary hypertension is currently deemed to be under complete polygenic control but highly heterogeneous both from the genetic and the pathophysiologic standpoint. In the last few years a widespread application of molecular medicine techniques to epidemiological genetic studies has led to unprecedented progress in unravelling the genetical basis of human hypertension. The current research strategies along with the most recent results in this field are reviewed.