ABSTRACT

Hypertension may be a hemodynamic marker of injured endothelium and vascular smooth muscle related to finite responses of inflammation, oxidative stress and immune dysfunction of the arteries leading to endothelial dysfunction, vascular and cardiac smooth muscle dysfunction, loss of arterial elasticity with reduced arterial compliance, and increased systemic vascular resistance. Many of the natural compounds in food, certain nutraceutical supplements, vitamins, antioxidants, or minerals function in a similar fashion to a specific class of antihypertensive drugs. Although the potency of these natural compounds may be less than that of the antihypertensive drugs, when used in combination with other nutrients and nutraceutical supplements, the antihypertensive effect is additive or synergistic. The chapter summarizes these natural compounds into the major antihypertensive drug classes such as diuretics, ß-blockers, central a agonists, direct vasodilators, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and direct renin inhibitors.