Similar to a tsunami wave, a new surge of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in common complex diseases has succeeded in identifying the causative genetic risk factors of hypertension. On the other hand, classical candidate gene approach also makes steady progress to clarify the interaction between gene function and pathogenesis of hypertension. Even though the effect of each genetic variant on the predisposition to hypertension is quite small, the assessment of genetic contribution could be a solution to reveal a new target to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease.

The main focus of this special issue is to reaffirm the genetic basis of hypertension and to outline recent progress in genomics. In addition, several successful investigations in common diseases are introduced as good examples for better understanding of hypertension genomics. We invite authors to present original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing effort in the understanding of genetics of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Monogenic hypertension syndrome
• WNK kinases, renal ion transport
• Genome scans for hypertension and blood pressure regulation
• New tools and old dilemmas in hypertension genomics
• Genetics of renin angiotensin system
• Spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and other rat models
• Obesity and sympathetic nerve responsiveness
• GWAS of myocardial infarction
• GWAS of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome
• Aging and senescence
• Pharmacogenomics of essential hypertension

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijht/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: