Study seeks high blood pressure origins

Pennsylvania State University and Johns Hopkins University researchers said they are engaged in a two-part study focusing on hypertension in the human body and in the laboratory.

"One quarter of the population in the United States has undiagnosed -- or is being treated for -- essential hypertension," said Penn State Assistant Professor Lacy Holowatz, the project's principal investigator. "Not only is it pervasive, but it takes an emotional, physical and financial toll on the people it affects.

The results from our studies should provide new and important information on the how hypertension impacts the body's cardiovascular system."

Essential hypertension is high blood pressure with no identifiable cause, the scientists said. Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that results from another condition or disease.

The researchers said they are using a dual-examination approach -- analyzing hypertension and blood flow in the body and, in a more controlled situation, outside the body.

The study also includes Penn State Professor Larry Kenney, Associate Professor Mosuk Chow and researcher Jane Pierzga; and Johns Hopkins Associate Professor Daniel Berkowitz.

The $1.7 million research project is being partly funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.