These studies were undertaken to examine the individual differences of biological pressor responses to a life stress, temperaments and emotions, emotional stresses and other contributing factors relating to the cause of essential hypertension. Thus the early mechanisms of essential hypertension were investigated from constitutional, ecological and epidemiological viewpoints. It is summarized that essential hypertension is a product of interaction between the intrinsic or genetic factors and the extrinsic or environmental factors: 1) the greater biological pressor r sponse to, life stress becomes, 2),the more traits of hypertension-inducing temperaments and emotions are possessed, 3) the greater intensity, frequency and length of emotional stresses become, and 4) the more salt one intakes the more, easily essential hypertension will develop. However, when the intrinsic factors are weak while the extrinsic factors are strong, or´;when the extrinsic factors -are weak while the intrinsic factors are strong essential hypertension may develop. In addition, other contributing factors such as ageing and overweight ; may help the development of the disease.
Presumably, essential hypertension is derived from quantitative differences not qualitative from the normotensive subjects in the extrinsic factors as well as in the intrinsic factors.
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