Compared to chronic hypertension, little is known about the pathophysiology of acute hypertension and its recovery. To characterize this, we investigated the functional and structural properties of the common carotid arteries (CCA) from 35 rats. We established a unilateral and reversible carotid arterial hypertension model using the partial transverse aortic constriction (TAC) technique. By TAC, the right CCAs were made to endure a pressure-overload environment, while the left CCAs remained under normotension. The TACs were removed 2 weeks later, which unloaded the hypertensive effects. We compared the contractile, histological, and molecular responses of the CCA before TAC, during TAC (the hypertension period), and after removal of TAC (the recovery period). Vessel contractility was nearly abolished during 2 weeks of TAC. The recovery process from hypertension showed an initial hypercontractile period within a week. The relaxation response due to acetylcholine, as measured during the recovery period, showed a longer time course than the contractility for recovering its magnitude. During the hypertension period, the media thickness increased and this persisted throughout the recovery period. Apoptosis of the endothelial layer was significantly increased during the hypertension period and this disappeared 2 weeks after recovery. Expression of endothelial NO synthase was not detectable at the end of the hypertension period, but this gradually returned to the basal level after 2 weeks of recovery. Although increased contractility is usually expected in chronic hypertensive vessels, an abrupt pressure overload decreases contractility and the endothelium-dependent relaxation. It also increases endothelial apoptosis and the media thickness. These findings have clinical relevance, and they could be applied to human acute and severe hypertension and its recovery.