Vascular compliance and arterial calcification: impact on blood pressure reduction

Purpose of review The aim of this article is to review the relationship between vascular calcification and difficult to control hypertension. This does not address anti hypertensive treatment of drug resistant hypertension per se. Recent findings Vascular calcification occurs in a variety of common hypertension scenarios. Basic mechanisms of how and why vessels calcify are reviewed including new genetic insights. The potential for contributing to or improving calcification through drug therapies for nonhypertensive disorders is reviewed. Summary Vascular calcification is common and easily recognized. Studies that target its clinical consequences (arterial stiffness) as primary treatment goals are needed.