AHA honors 2 hypertension researchers

The American Heart Association awarded two hypertension researchers with the Excellence Award for Hypertension Research during the AHA Council on Hypertension, Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease and the American Society of Hypertension Joint Scientific Sessions in San Francisco, according to a press release.

Allyn L. Mark, MD, professor of internal medicine-cardiovascular medicine at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, and Richard J. Roman, PhD, chair of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, both received their awards and presented lectures on their work during the meeting.

Mark’s research has looked at the role of the brain and nervous system in controlling BP.

“Our research looked at two major contributors to hypertension: obesity and high salt intake,” Mark said in the press release. “We wanted to understand why some individuals are sensitive and other individuals are resistant to the hypertensive effects of high salt intake, as well as recognize the underlying causes of hypertension caused by obesity.”

Roman’s work has looked at how genes affect hypertension, including identifying a gene that produces a compound, 20-HETE, that constricts blood vessels and increases sodium excretion in the kidney.

“Gene mutations that reduce 20-HETE can lead to hypertension and stroke in humans, and we have recently found that it also is associated with dementia in elderly patients.” Roman said. “This and other research lays the groundwork for much needed clinical trials looking at drugs that target 20-HETE for the treatment of stroke, heart attack and cancer.”