Genes may effect both obesity and risk of high blood pressure.

The authors in the New England Journal of Medicine article cited below discuss the complex interaction between the genes that contol weight and obesity and the risk of hypertension.  It turns out that obesity and hypertension are not regulated by a single gene but by many genes which interact with each other.  One such gene melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) may determine overweight patients are predisposed to hypertension.

References:
1. Leibel, Rudolph L.
Energy In, Energy Out, and the Effects of Obesity-Related Genes
N Engl J Med 2008 359: 2603-2604

2.Bloomberg news:  Gene May Reveal Why Some Obese People Get High Blood Pressure

Spikes in Blood Pressure may impair cognition in patients with Hypertension.

High blood pressure has long been thought to play a role in decreased mental function with aging.  This new interesting study examined the effects of spikes in blood pressure in patients both with and without underlying hypertension.

Patients were asked to take their blood pressure and a test of mental function twice daily.  Patients with a history of hypertension had a decrease in their mental acuity during periods when their blood pressure spiked.

Just another reason to get your blood pressure checked and correct hypertension.

References:

1. "Exploring the Within-Person Coupling of Blood Pressure and Cognition in the Elderly"
Authors: Alyssa A. Gamaldo, Sarah R. Weatherbee, Dr. Jason C. Allaire, North Carolina State University
Published: December 15, 2008, in Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences

2. North Carolina State University News Website