Development of hypertension – clinical impact of dysregulation of circadian rhythms and implications for treatment

Abstract

Blood pressure, like most physiological processes, exhibits a circadian pattern of variation. Disruption of the normal circadian rhythm of blood pressure is associated with end organ damage and increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. In this review, we discuss the role of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system and the molecular clock in main- taining circadian blood pressure patterns. We also consider disrupted circadian blood pressure rhythms and hypertension in distinct populations and the role of chronotherapy in the treatment