03 June 2004
A gravitational hypothesis of essential hypertension as a natural adaptation to increased gravitational stress caused by regular, prolonged sitting typical of modern life
Stanislav Evgenievich PekarskiMed Sci Monit 2004; 10(6): HY27-32 :: ID: 11680
Abstract
Background:Spaceflight studies have demonstrated that adaptation to increased gravitational stress after prolonged microgravity includes sympathetic activation, water retention, and arterial pressure increase, i.e. is very similar to essential hypertension, which looks like an advanced stage of adaptation to a further increase in gravitational stress.Material/Methods: Theoretical analysis and literature review were performed to develop an hypothesis of essential hypertension as adaptation to increased gravitational stress associated with prolonged sitting.Results: Gravitation shifts blood downwards, and gravitational stress (GS) on the cardiovascular system in an upright position may be defined as the amount of work necessary to return the blood upwards and maintain adequate upper-body circulation calculated as the product of the gravitational potential (Ugr=g*h) and the mass of blood moved: GS =Ugr*Mshift. In a complex vascular network, this blood shift is actually a function of time, estimated in a first approximation as Mshift(t)=(Ugr*t)/Rd (Rd: the resistance to downward blood flow). Thus, gravitational stress is proportional to the time spent upright GS=Ugr*Mshift(t)=(Ugr2*t)/Rd=(g2*h2*t)/Rd. From this analysis, regular, prolonged sitting typical of modern life should cause a significant increase in gravitational stress on the cardiovascular system, requiring advanced antigravitational response with sympathetic hyperactivity, vasoconstriction, volume overload, and arterial hypertension. The hypertensive effect of prolonged sitting has been demonstrated in clinical studies.Conclusions: Essential hypertension may be explained as adaptation to increased gravitational stress caused by regular, prolonged sitting. This gravitational hypothesis of essential hypertension, supported by clinical data, offers a way to its complete healing through elimination of the primary factor of prolonged sitting.
Keywords: Adaptation, Physiological - physiology, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Gravitation, Hypertension - genetics, Hypertension - physiopathology, Hypertension - prevention & control, Hypertension - therapy, Life Style, Stress - physiopathology, Adaptation, Physiological - physiology, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Gravitation, Hypertension - therapy, Life Style, Stress, Physiological - physiopathology
554 5
Editorial
01 June 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: Infectious Disease Surveillance Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its Role in Epidemic and Pandemic PreparednessDOI: 10.12659/MSM.941209
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e941209
In Press
05 Jun 2023 : Clinical Research
Comparison of Texture and Color Enhancement Imaging with White Light Imaging in 52 Patients with Short-Segm...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940249
05 Jun 2023 : Laboratory Research
Comparison of Composite Resin (Duo-Shade) Shade Guide with Vita Ceramic Shades Before and After Chemical an...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940949
02 Jun 2023 : Database Analysis
The COVID-19 Crisis and the Incidence of Alcohol-Related Deaths in PolandMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940904
01 Jun 2023 : Clinical Research
Root Canal Numbers and Configurations in 1080 Permanent Canine Teeth in 270 Saudi Subjects Using Cone-Beam ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940472
Most Viewed Current Articles
13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research
Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788
30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research
Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379
08 Mar 2022 : Review article
A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952