Hemorheological disturbances in hypertension are the outcome of change
s in red cell characteristics, their interaction in the presence of fi
brinogen, and the magnitude and distribution of flow forces. Hemorheol
ogical alteration coupled with changes in biochemical variables and ve
ssel characteristics in hypertension may affect the hemodynamic profil
e, which could possibly contribute to the development of hemorrhagic d
isorders. The complex pathophysiology of hypertension also depends upo
n the life style, presence of other risk factors, emotional/psychologi
cal stress, age and the genetic constitution of an individual. This re
view article summarizes the hemorheological changes in hypertension an
d their probable role in the deterioration of blood flow.