Heart-Brain Interactions and the Development of Hypertension

Research Focus

We hypothesise that detrimental, self-reinforcing interactions between body function and brain function ("vicious cycles") trigger and further promote the development of hypertension. The work of this emerging group here builds on findings that blood pressure modulations and heart-brain interactions are associated with changes in perception (somatosensory and pain) and emotion that may lead to higher well-being at higher blood pressure (Schaare et al., in press, Nat Comm), with baroreceptor activity as a mediator. To understand the basic mechanisms, we examine perception and emotion (including stress) in the context of heart-brain interactions and blood pressure. There is a close interaction with the group of Micha Gaebler and the somatosensory group.