Hypertension is one of the most common age-related chronic disorders, and by predisposing individuals for heart failure, stroke, and kidney disease, it is a major source of morbidity and mortality. Its etiology remains enigmatic despite intense research efforts over many decades. By use of empirically well-constrained computer models describing the coupled function of the baroreceptor reflex and mechanics of the circulatory system, we demonstrate quantitatively that arterial stiffening seems sufficient to explain age-related emergence of hypertension. Specifically, the empirically observed chronic changes in pulse pressure with age and the impaired capacity of hypertensive individuals to regulate short-term changes in blood pressure arise as emergent properties of the integrated system. The results are consistent with available experimental data from chemical and surgical manipulation of the cardio-vascular system. In contrast to widely held opinions, the results suggest that primary hypertension can be attributed to a mechanogenic etiology without challenging current conceptions of renal and sympathetic nervous system function. © 2014 Pettersen et al.
CITATION STYLE
Pettersen, K. H., Bugenhagen, S. M., Nauman, J., Beard, D. A., & Omholt, S. W. (2014). Arterial Stiffening Provides Sufficient Explanation for Primary Hypertension. PLoS Computational Biology, 10(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003634
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