Endothelial function and blood pressure variability

Endothelial function refers to the physiological state of the vascular endothelium, which maintains cardiovascular health by regulating vascular tone, inflammation, and thrombosis through the release of mediators like nitric oxide (StatPearls, 2023). Blood pressure variability (BPV) describes the fluctuations in blood pressure over time, which are recognized as independent predictors of cardiovascular risk and target organ damage (PubMed, PMID: 30103161). While 'Endothelial function / blood pressure variability' is not a single molecular target such as a receptor or enzyme, it represents a critical physiological complex targeted by various cardiovascular therapies. Impairment in endothelial function, often termed endothelial dysfunction, leads to increased arterial stiffness and contributes to higher BPV. Drugs such as ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and statins are utilized to restore endothelial homeostasis and stabilize BPV by enhancing nitric oxide bioavailability and reducing vascular resistance (PubMed, PMID: 20226333). Monitoring these parameters is essential for assessing the efficacy of antihypertensive and vasculoprotective treatments.

Other names

Endothelial dysfunctionVascular endothelial functionBPVBlood pressure fluctuationVascular reactivity

Pharmacological agents improve these parameters by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), or providing long-acting calcium channel blockade to stabilize vascular smooth muscle tone.