Skip to main content

Essential hypertension and the sympathetic nervous system

Neurological Sciences volume 29, pages 33–36 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Sympathetic neural factors exert a key role in homeostatic blood pressure control. Evidence is available that abnormalities in sympathetic function may favour the development and progression of the hypertensive state. This paper will review the data collected throughout the years on the role of adrenergic mechanisms in the pathophysiology of the hypertensive state. It will then examine the mechanisms and the consequences of the sympathetic overdrive reported in hypertension, with particular emphasis on its role in the development of target organ damage. Finally the therapeutic implications of hypertension-related neurogenic abnormalities will be highlighted.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. Kuchel O, Genest J (1997) A neurogenic origin of mild highrenin essential hypertension? N Engl J Med 297:222

    Google Scholar 

  2. Julius S, Krause L, Schork NJ et al (1991) Hyperkinetic borderline hypertension in Tecumseh, Michigan. J Hypertens 9:77–84

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Goldstein DS (1983) Plasma catecholamines and essential hypertension. An analytical review. Hypertension 5:86–99

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Grassi G, Cattaneo BM, Seravalle G (1998) Baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity in essential and secondary hypertension. Hypertension 31:68–72

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Esler M, Lambert G, Jennings G (1989) Regional norepinephrine turnover in human hypertension. Clin Exp Hypertens A 11[Suppl 1]:75–89

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Grassi G, Mancia G (2007) Hyperadrenergic and labile hypertension. In: Lip GH, Hall J (eds) Comprehensive hypertension. Mosby Elsevier, Philadelphia, pp 719–726

    Google Scholar 

  7. Grassi G, Seravalle G, Dell’Oro R et al (2000) Adrenergic and reflex abnormalities in obesity-related hypertension. Hypertension 36:538–542

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Grassi G, Seravalle G, Quarti-Trevano F et al (2003) Effects of hypertension and obesity on the sympathetic activation of heart failure patients. Hypertension 42:873–877

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Grassi G, Dell’Oro R, Quarti-Trevano F et al (2005) Neuroadrenergic and reflex abnormalities in patients with metabolic syndrome. Diabetologia 48:1359–1365

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Grassi G, Seravalle G, Turri C, Mancia G (1999) Sympathetic nerve traffic responses to surgical removal of pheochromocytoma. Hypertension 34:461–465

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Grassi G (2001) Renin-angiotensin-sympathetic crosstalks in hypertension: reappraising the relevance of peripheral interactions. J Hypertens 19:1713–1716

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Grassi G, Cattaneo BM, Seravalle G et al (1997) Effects of chronic ACE inhibition on sympathetic nerve traffic and baroreflex control of circulation in heart failure. Circulation 96:1173–1179

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Grassi G (2004) Counteracting the sympathetic nervous system in essential hypertension. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 13:513–519

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Grassi G, Quarti-Trevano F (2007) Blood pressure control and therapeutic modulation of the adrenergic overdrive. Curr Hypertens Rep 9:167–169

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Clinica Medica, Università Milano-Bicocca Ospedale San Gerardo, Via Pergolesi 33, 20052, Monza, Milan, Italy

    Guido Grassi, Fosca Quarti-Trevano, Raffaella Dell’Oro & Giuseppe Mancia

  2. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy

    Guido Grassi & Giuseppe Mancia

Authors
  1. Guido Grassi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fosca Quarti-Trevano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Raffaella Dell’Oro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Giuseppe Mancia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guido Grassi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Grassi, G., Quarti-Trevano, F., Dell’Oro, R. et al. Essential hypertension and the sympathetic nervous system. Neurol Sci 29, 33–36 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-008-0882-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-008-0882-9

Keywords

  • Sympathetic nervous system
  • Hypertension
  • Cardiovascular risk
  • Target organ damage
  • Antihypertensive drug treatment