[Stress, emotion and hypertension: the integrative role of central nervous system (author's transl)].

In current literature stress is assumed to be of important factor in the multifactorial pathogenesis of hypertension. The cardiovascular response might be dependent on the type and severity of stressors, the complexity of stress reaction and the ability of man to counteract stress. In this review the concept of stress, its nature and the participation of the central nervous system are elucidated. The role of emotion is also discussed, as well as a connection to stress mechanisms. The sympathetic nervous system acts as link between stress and hypertension, especially borderline-hypertension. Based on various experimental models as well as epidemiological investigations the hypothesis that stress is a causative factor in the initiation of hypertension is critically discussed. In patients with a genetic predisposition to hypertension, stress may play an important role in early manifestations of chronic blood pressure elevation, and in established hypertension, however, psychological stress contributes to temporary or longer lasting increases of blood pressure.