Pathophysiology of Hypertension- Blood pressure is controlled by a complex set of interrelated mechanisms that involve the control of vascular tone and sodium and water balance. The sympathetic nervous system and the renal renin-angiotensin system provide overall control, and cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance are the primary regulating factors. Baroreceptors within the carotid sinus an the aortic arch along with with chemoreceptors in the medulla oblongata sense changes in the blood pressure and cause the vasomotor center to respond to those changes through the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The renin-angiotensin system contributes to the control of blood pressure through the release of angiotensin II
