The thoroughly updated Second Edition of this classic work incorporates the past five years' groundbreaking advances in basic and clinical research on hypertension. More than 350 of the world's leading basic scientists and clinicians provide authoritative and new coverage of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension and the broad range of associated heart, kidney, brain, and ocular disorders. Over 150 new contributors have been selected for the Second Edition, and some 65 new chapters review the most recent discoveries, from molecular and genetic mechanisms of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, to new classes of drugs, clinical trials of innovative drug therapies, and promising drug developments that are still in the laboratory.The Second Edition includes reviews of new classes of drugs--such as angiotensin II receptor antagonists, renin inhibitors, dopamine agonists, and prostaglandin analogues--as well as up-to-date guidelines for designing individualized drug treatment regimens. Close attention is given to new molecular biologic research on possible genetic mechanisms and to the potentials for gene directed therapies. Noted experts discuss new diagnostic procedures that result in more sensitive evaluations of target organ damage. Also included is a new section on hypertensive disorders caused by genetic defects.