Baroreflex Function in Hypertension: Consequences for Antihypertensive Therapy

Studies performed in experimental animal models of hypertension as well as in human hypertension have unequivocally shown that reflex cardiovascular control undergoes profound changes with high blood pressure and participates throughout direct and indirect mechanisms at the development and progression of hypertension-related target organ damage. This explains why investigation of the effects of antihypertensive drugs on neural cardiovascular control has a significant impact on hypertension treatment. This review will examine the main features of cardiovascular reflex control in hypertension and the effects of the different classes of antihypertensive drugs in uncomplicated and complicated hypertension.