Early vascular phenotypes in the genesis of hypertension

Cardiovascular complications occurring in adults find their roots in risk factors operating early in life. Among the factors influencing cardiovascular risk, blood pressure values in children represent an important measurable marker of the level of potential cardiovascular risk later in life because the levels are both the cause and the consequence of early vascular alterations. Early vascular phenotypes represent a field of great interest, and they can be studied through indirect assessment using non-invasive techniques. Estimations of blood pressure components, pulse wave velocity, and reflecting waves provide valuable information that can be easily recorded and repeated over time. A direct assessment, carried out by examining the umbilical vessels, can add further valuable information. In this review, we discuss the potential application of surrogate markers of early vascular alterations and describe the information provided by umbilical cord vessels.