Viral Causes of Hypertension

Hypertension can have many causes, including viruses. Cytomegalovirus, also known as CMV, is a virus in the herpes family that causes hypertension. CMV is usually a "silent" disease that displays few, if any, symptoms while damaging the cardiovascular system. Newborns and people with compromised immune systems are at the most risk of contracting CMV.

Expert Insight

• A study conducted by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (published in the May 15 issue of PLoS Pathogens) determined that CMV can cause atherosclerosis, which is hardening of the arteries and a major cause of high blood pressure.

Potential

• Dr. Clyde Crumpacker, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, states that discovering that CMV can cause hypertension has the potential to lead to new ways of treating high blood pressure, including antiviral medication.

Function

• According to Harvard Medical School, up to 99 percent of the world's population has CMV, which poses no problem for most people until their immune systems become compromised, allowing the virus to damage the vascular system.

Effects

• According to Dr. Crumpacker, the presence of CMV in the cardiovascular system causes an inflammatory response that may contribute to increased blood pressure.

Theories/Speculation

• A study conducted by R. Golpe, et al, of the Respiratory Section at University Hospital Marques de Valdecilla in Santander, Spain found a link between HIV and hypertension that suggests the HIV virus might also cause high blood pressure.