Sympathetic Nervous System in Pathophysiology of Hypertension - Role of Adrenergic Inhibitors in Antihypertensive Treatment

Abstract

Considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the role of sympathetic nervous system in the pathogenesis ofhypertension. Enhanced sympathetic tone is associated with hemodynamic abnormalities as welt as with the metabolic syndrome of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Both hypertension and pressure-unrelated risk for development of atherosclerosis increase the risk of coronary artery disease. Understanding the pathophysiology of hypertension and coronary risk and their relationship to sympathetic overactivity is helpful in seeking new, more effective antihypertensive drugs. At present antihypertensive treatment is less efficacious in reducing coronary events in hypertension than would be expected. The different types of antihypertensive are discussed on the basis of their side-effect profile and favourable or adverse effects on metabolic syndrome associated with hypertension. Special attention has been paid on centrally acting I1-imidazoline receptors stimulants