As the development of hypertension and target organ damage becomes more prevalent, it becomes exceedingly important to determine the underlying mechanisms through which this detrimental development occurs. Specifically, our studies and others have explored mechanisms through which stress elicits a salt-sensitive response in approximately 20-30 % of the population, resulting in the early development of hypertension and target organ damage. Data associated with this stress-induced cardiovascular response pattern have recently demonstrated additional effects across the body systems including factors contributing to the development of osteoporosis, obesity, autoimmune disease, and chronic inflammation. As each of these diseases become more prevalent in conjunction with hypertension, further research may discover stress and salt sensitivity to be at the "heart" of the matter for the development of many of today's most deadly conditions.