Blood pressure and calcium‐regulating hormones

Abstract

Calcium and calcitropic hormones are involved in the regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure. This review briefly discusses the abnormalities of calcium metabolism noted in hypertension. The calcitropic hormones, including parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and calcitonin are discussed, with emphasis on their vasoactive properties and potential to affect blood pressure. More recently recognized substances are similarly addressed, including parathyroid hypertensive factor, parathyroid-related peptide, and calcitonin gene-related peptide, the latter two of which may affect vascular tone via a local mechanism. Finally, the newly characterized cell calcium receptor, with its implications for the direct calcium-regulated modulation of vascular tone, is presented.