aetiology
Last reviewed 02/2022
The aetiology of hypertension is dealt with under in two sections:
- aetiology of essential hypertension
- aetiology of secondary hypertension
The physiological systems which have been implicated in the aetiology of hypertension include:
- cardiac factors, especially cardiac output
- increased peripheral vascular resistance
- renin-angiotension system activation
- sympathetic nervous system overactivity
- endothelin, nitric oxide and atrial natriuretic peptide may have important roles