Current Concepts and Theories on Etiology of Essential Hypertension

Abstract

At present no one theory on the cause of essential hypertension predominates. Neurogenic factors, renal abnormalities, and endocrine and metabolic disorders have all been investigated as causative factors. The theory which accounts for the greatest number of known facts postulates that essential hypertension is primarily a renal disease which results, either directly or through the intervention of the adrenal cortex, in abnormal control of sodium and water.