VCAM1 and Hypertension: Initially, when the endothelium is perturbed by risk factors like disturbed blood flow, high plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration, hypertension, toxins from cigarette smoke [7], or bacterial antigens and membrane components, the endothelial cells can be activated and release a range of chemokines, like intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1).