Pathophysiological Effects of High Intraluminal Pressure in Cardiovascular Disease: A Role for Caveolin-1

Heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, is associated with a number of risk factors. However, hypertension, or high blood pressure, contributes to more deaths and disease globally than any other risk factor despite available treatments. Studies have looked at the biochemical events associated with hypertension, however none have looked at the role of pressure itself. This thesis examines the detrimental effects of pressure in the context of heart disease and shows for the first time the role of the caveolin-1 protein as a potential therapeutic target for hypertension-induced heart disease.