VCAM1 and Hypertension: Hypertension/reflux alters shear stress, resulting in endothelial damage due to the overexpression of adhesion molecules (interstitial cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectins), the release of inflammatory mediators and metalloproteases, endovascular cell recruitment, and activation of prothrombotic precursors [28].