Hypertension and left-ventricular hypertrophy

Left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the primary cardiac manifestation of hypertension, has been identified as the most powerful risk factor for future cardiovascular events causing morbidity and mortality, such as myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, sudden death, and so forth. The incre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCardiology clinics Vol. 13; no. 4; p. 549
Main Authors Messerli, F H, Aepfelbacher, F C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands 01.11.1995
Subjects
Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology
Female
Humans
Hypertension - complications
Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular - etiology
Male
Risk Factors
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Summary:Left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the primary cardiac manifestation of hypertension, has been identified as the most powerful risk factor for future cardiovascular events causing morbidity and mortality, such as myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, sudden death, and so forth. The increase in myocardial mass lowers coronary reserve and enhances cardiac oxygen requirements, gives rise to ventricular ectopy, and impairs left-ventricular filling and contractility. Besides hypertension, other risk factors such as obesity, advanced age, valvular heart disease, and other pathologic disorders can cause an increase in the hemodynamic burden and lead to LVH. Nonhemodynamic determinants of left-ventricular mass include dietary salt intake, alcohol, and neurohormones. LVH and its sequelae can be reduced by specific antihypertensive therapy, but despite these promising findings, future epidemiologic studies are necessary to document the clinical benefits of a reduction in LVH.
ISSN:0733-8651
DOI:10.1016/S0733-8651(18)30021-3