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Smooth
muscle in disease states
Smooth
muscle cells lining the artery walls have been implicated
in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension
(high blood pressure). In hypertension an increase in the
size of the individual cells (hypertrophy) and of their
number (i.e., hyperplasia) has been hypothesized. The increased
quantity of smooth muscle in the artery wall could increase
the constrictive ability of the artery or the artery wall
thickness, either of which could constrict the lumen of
the artery, thus reducing blood flow through the vessel.
To compensate for this resistance to blood flow, the cardiovascular
system responds by elevating blood pressure to assure that
the various tissues of the body are adequately supplied
with blood. A consequence of the need to raise blood pressure,
however, is a greater workload for the heart, and thus individuals
who are diagnosed with high blood pressure are at a higher
risk of heart attack or stroke. Drugs that relax smooth
muscle in an effort to lower blood pressure have been successful
in reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Norman R. Alpert
David M. Warshaw
