Christian A. Koch ● George P. Chrousos
Editors
2013
The prevalence of hypertension is almost three times as high as that of diabetes mellitus type 2, with both conditions being major risk factors for stroke, ischemic heart disease, cardiacarrhythmias, and heart failure. The exact prevalence of hypertension related to hormonal derangements, a.k.a. endocrine hypertension, is not known but estimated to affect less than 15% of hypertensive patients. Recent scientific discoveries have increased our understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of hypertension. For instance, there is accumulating evidence on the vitamin D, testosterone, and growth hormone deficiencies as potential risk factors for development of metabolic syndrome, including its constituent hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. In addition to insulin resistance, obesity-associated hypertension may play a role in these conditions, as prevalence rates of obesity have reached up to 34% in several populations. As it is true for many other disorders, better understanding of disease mechanisms may help improve diagnosis and offer affected patients novel targeted therapies.
Endocrine Hypertension – Underlying Mechanisms and Therapy
