Work

Central Artery Stiffness in Hypertension and Aging

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Systemic hypertension is a risk factor for many diseases affecting the heart, brain, and kidneys. It has long been thought that hypertension leads to a thickening and stiffening of central arteries (i.e., stiffness is a consequence) while more recent evidence suggests that stiffening precedes hypertension (i.e., stiffness is a cause). We submit, however, that consideration of the wall biomechanics and hemodynamics reveals an insidious positive feedback loop that may render it irrelevant whether hypertension causes or is caused by central arterial stiffening. A progressive worsening can ensue in either case, thus any onset of stiffening merits early intervention.

Source: Circulation Research

DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.115.307722

Authors: Jay D. Humphrey, David G. Harrison, C. Alberto Figueroa, Patrick Lacolley, Stéphane Laurent