[Atherosclerosis (hypertension)].

Many studies have shown that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Therefore biomarkers reflecting the magnitude of inflammation can be also a good marker for atherosclerosis. Clinical studies have shown that high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP) is one of a promising biomarker for presence or progression of atherosclerosis. Markers for dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and injury of endothelium and smooth muscle cells also have links to atherosclerosis. Regarding hypertension, microalbuminuria and cystatin C levels show the degree of future risk for atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is pathologically so complicated that no single biomarker can be perfect and it is essential for every clinician to use several appropriate biomarkers together to diagnose the disease.