Telomeres and essential hypertension

Abstract

Objectives: This review aims to clarify the relationship between telomeres and essential hypertension.

Design and methods: A PubMed search and a critical review were performed relating to studies about the clinical and biological relevance of telomeres in essential hypertension.

Results: Telomeres and telomerase activity play an important role in the occurrence and development of hypertension in both animal and human studies.

Conclusions: A more complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of hypertension could reduce the incidence of hypertension-related diseases.

Keywords: Hypertension; Telomerase; Telomere length.