Early programming of hypertension.

Abstract

Hypertension (HTN) is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and should be included in the study of developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). during gestation and perinatal life may affect developmental plasticity, during which the fetus adapts to environmental conditions that pose During intrauterine and perinatal development, different environmental factors have an impact on the early programming of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This review provides a summary of the evidence that connects the fetus' plasticity and adaptive changes to unfavorable environmental factors that alter the adult phenotype in the development of HTN. Such adaptive changes result from epigenetic changes that favor the development of HTN and CVD in adulthood with intergenerational implications. Lastly, we mention preventive strategies to limit or reverse any variable that may alter developmental programming leading to HTN later in life.