An approach to the explanation of cell membrane alteration in primary hypertension.

This approach is based on our 15-year experience in the study of cell membrane properties in hypertension, as well as on the data of other groups working in this field. By «membranopathy,» we mean the presence of widespread (i.e., not limited to cardiovascular contractile elements) abnormalities in the ion transport function of the cell plasma membrane and changes in its ultrastructure as well as in certain physico-chemical properties, resulting in insufficient membrane control over intracellular calcium (the «membrane defect»)