ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular homeostasis is maintained by a balance between the volume of blood in the
vascular system, the effectiveness of the heart as a pump and the ability of the kidney to
ensure that the level of fluid reabsorption and excretion are appropriate. If any one arm
of this cardiovascular-renal axis is deficient, then there will be a development of a
chronically elevated blood pressure; that is, hypertension. Hypertension is present in up to
20% of the adult population of many developed countries placing these individuals at risk
of stroke and heart attacks creating a major demand on the healthcare system (1).
