Does a renal vasodilator system mediate racial differences in essential hypertension?

Clinical and epidemiologic data support the contention that black people have a higher incidence and severity of essential hypertension than white people, a phenomenon which is likely due to genetic factors. Physiologic profiles in such patients reveal a striking prevalence of low renin, volume-expanded hypertension, with an exaggerated propensity to sodium retention. A deficiency in the natriuretic, vasodilatory renal kallikrein-kinin system may explain these phenomena and may be of practical importance in the selection of therapy.