Growing evidence suggests an association of environmental stress with the development of hypertension and there is strong evidence in normotensive subjects that a greater pressor response to sympathoexcitatory stress is a harbinger of future hypertension. Pharmacological studies have shown that individuals with HTN have a blunted baroreflex sensitivity, and display a greater increase in blood pressure during administration of an alpha-agonist. Furthermore, exaggerated 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure variability (BPV) is proposed to be a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Finally, Beta-2 adrenergic receptor-mediated forearm vasodilator responses to mental stress are blunted in Caucasian subjects at increased risk for hypertension, in African Americans, and in mild hypertension. We postulate that a relationship exists between these variables, even in normotensive healthy individuals. We also believe that signs of subclinical metabolic dysfunction exist in healthy individuals and that they may either contribute to or be affected by BPV. There is also evidence the prematurity at birth and low birth weight are associated with hypertension. Finally, arterial stiffness may also be related to blood pressure variability and the pressor response. Therefore the specific aims of this study are: