Correction to: Hypertension Research (2011) 34, 62–69; doi:10.1038/hr.2010.186; published online 7 October 2010

The authors of the manuscript would like to correct affiliation of Mr Nobuo Shirahashi, who was mentioned in the acknowledgement section of this article. The correct affiliation of Mr Shirahashi was Novartis Pharma K.K.