End-Organ Damage Mechanisms · USMLE Step 1

Which mechanism contributes to target organ damage in hypertension beyond elevated blood pressure alone?

  1. Autoimmune antibody deposition within vessels
  2. Neurohormonal activation and inflammation causing endothelial dysfunction
  3. Viral reactivation within the vascular cells
  4. Excessive systemic antioxidant activity
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: Neurohormonal activation and inflammation causing endothelial dysfunction

Hypertensive organ damage also involves neurohormonal activation and inflammation, causing endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, vascular remodeling and fibrosis — not just hemodynamic load.

Difficulty: Medium Question 17 of 20

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