Mechanical vascular changes and hypertension: pathological consequences.

Arteries are more than simple conduits for blood, they are a functionally active part of the cardiovascular system. Their mechanical performance is preserved at different levels of blood pressure and adapts to progressive increases but this functional change is accompanied by wall changes (e.g. medial thickening, scleroprotein increase) which have pathological effects. The way in which these changes are brought about is discussed.