Microalbuminuria in essential hypertension

The prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with essential hypertension ranges between 10 and 25%. The level of albuminuria is highly correlated with arterial pressure and more closely ambulatory arterial pressure. The interaction between albuminuria and arterial pressure is enhanced by overweight and smoking. The renal mechanisms of microalbuminuria are not well elucidated; however, an increase in filtration fraction suggestive of intraglomerular hypertension was observed in patients with hyperfiltration. The significance of microalbuminuria as a marker of cardiovascular risk or hypertensive renal damage needs to be confirmed through long-term follow-up studies. Antihypertensive treatment has variable influence on albuminuria; and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and to a lesser extent other agents, tend to partially correct this abnormality.