Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The most recent recommendations of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) has redefined the longstanding barriers between hypertensive and nonhypertensive patients. Additionally, the ACC/AHA stressed the importance of lowering blood pressure to almost normal levels in affected patients and recommended the use of certain agents like calcium channels blockers and diuretics and agents that alter renin angiotensin mediated signaling as first line in the management of hypertension. Despite the importance of blood pressure values, the target is to reduce their associated morbidity and mortality. Data from clinical trials such as LIFE and MOSES reported a comparable reduction of blood pressure with different agents while only some agents were able to reduce morbidity and mortality. This discrepancy suggests the superiority of some classes of antihypertensives in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, preclinical studies showed that some antihypertensive agents, most notably angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), have offtarget remodeling benefits independent of their blood pressure lowering effects. Collectively, this suggests that reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity may not be entirely a function of blood pressure regulation.

This special issue welcomes the submission of original research and review articles that focus on the blood pressure-lowering effect of antihypertensive agents as well as their effect on cardiovascular disease outcomes. The ultimate goal of this special issue is to become a platform that brings basic and clinical researchers together to increase our understanding of this disease.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• The interaction between antihypertensive agents and the expression of growth factors in the heart and vasculature
• The effect of antihypertensive agents on hypertension induced vascular remodeling and cardiovascular diseases outcomes
• The involvement of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the development of hypertension and its complications and cardiovascular outcomes
• The effect of antihypertensive agents on oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction