Hypertension and coronary heart disease

The association of hypertension and coronary heart disease is a frequent one. There are several pathophysiologic mechanisms which link both diseases. Hypertension induces endothelial dysfunction, exacerbates the atherosclerotic process and it contributes to make the atherosclerotic plaque more unstable. Left ventricular hypertrophy, which is the usual complication of hypertension, promotes a decrease of ‘coronary reserve’ and increases...