Another Gene Linked to Hypertension
Another gene STK39, serine threonine kinase 39 gene, has been reported to be associated with increases in both systolic and diastolic pressures. This gene is involved in how our kidneys process electrolytes, such as salt and potassium.  Knowing whether a patient has this gene variation may make it easier for the physician to judge if a patient's hypertension will respond to water pills or diuretics.

References:

1. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Source reference:
Wang Y, et al "Whole-genome association study identifies STK39 as a novel hypertension susceptibility gene" PNAS 2008; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0808358106.

2. Gene Variants Linked to Hypertension
By Michael Smith, North American Correspondent, MedPage Today
Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD

Your Opthamologist Can Detect signs of Hypertension in Your Eyes.
Did you know that when an opthamologist examines that back of your eye, called the retina, she can detect signs of some internal disease states that may contribute to decreased vision?  The blood vessels of the retina can be damaged from hypertension and diabetes among other disease states. So even though you may not have eye pain or obvious vision problems, hypertension may be silently diminishing your vision.

Your eyes offer a reminder to get your blood pressure checked and
under good control

Reference:

Glaucoma steals vision High pressure can cause irreversible damage to the eye

Did you know blood pressure has it own circadian rhythm?
Normal blood pressures vary throughout the day over a 24 hour cycle.  Blood pressures dip normally at night.
A new study cited below compared the decrease or 'dip' in blood pressure in patients with treated and untreated hypertension.  The authors suggest that patients who have 'blunted' or abnormal night time blood pressure dips may have higher hypertension related side effects including cardiovascular complications.

Reference:
Prevalence and Factors Associated With Circadian Blood Pressure Patterns in Hypertensive Patients. Alejandro de la Sierra et al.
Hypertension. 2009