Abstract. Hypertension is a silent and multifactorial disease. Over two centuries ago, the first device to record blood pressure was developed, making it possible to determine normotension and to establish criteria for hypertension. Since then, several studies have contributed to advance knowledge in this area, promoting significant advances in pharmacological treatments and, as a result, increasing survival of hypertensive people. The main models developed for the study of hypertension and the main findings in the vascular area are included in this review. We considered aspects related to vascular reactivity, changes in the population, and action of beta adrenergic receptors in the pathogenesis of hypertension.
