Project Description Narrative:
Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for the deaths of more Americans than any other causes, with one death every minute. Hypertension alone afflicts more than 50 million Americans, or one out of every four adults, and is a primary contributor to the development of stroke and cardiac dysfunction. In Wisconsin, heart disease is the number-one and stroke is the number-three cause of death. As reported by the Wisconsin Cardiovascular Health Program, data from 2000 indicates that 25% of the adult Wisconsin population has hypertension, and 26% of those patients have hypertension that is not controlled by medication. Over $31,000,000 was spent on hospitalization costs for the treatment of hypertension, and this does not include treatment for other cardiovascular diseases triggered by hypertension, including stroke. In 2000, stroke alone accounted for almost 20% of Wisconsin deaths.
The information gained in this study will contribute knowledge regarding reflex regulation of the cardiovascular system and advance our ability to regulate mechanisms that control central integration of baroreceptor input. Further, this study will help researchers understand the disease mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level, while employing an integrative whole animal model to measure outcomes.
Successful completion of the studies could provide new directions identifying genetic factors that could relate to hypertension, as well as an improved understanding of brain function and the ability to assess effectiveness of investigational therapies.