Characteristics of arterial hypertension in obesity

INTRODUCTION: Arterial hypertension is the most frequent cardiovascular disease in obese persons, progressing with time to left ventricular hypertension, often associated with dilatation, diastolic disorders, hearth rhythm disturbance, and generalized atherosclerosis. ETIOLOGY: The origin of this disease is related to hemodynamic disturbances (increased blood volume, minute volume, mainly due to increased stroke volume) accompanied with changes of peripheral resistance, which increases in a later phase. However, metabolic factors are presently considered as primarily responsible for appearance of hypertension, which has rightly obtained the attribute of metabolic hypertension. A key role belongs to insulin, in fact, to insulin resistance and hyperinsulinism. TREATMENT: Awareness of the metabolic basis of arterial hypertension in obesity has resulted in a specific approach to its treatment. The primary treatment includes reduction diet, with a drastic reduction of salt intake and with compulsory physical activity, while concerning medications one should consider converting enzyme inhibitors, alpha1 blockers and calcium channel antagonists.