Echocardiographic evaluation of left and right ventricular function in mild hypertension

Thirty-one cases of untreated 'mild hypertension' and equal number of age and sex matched controls with 'normal' blood pressure were evaluated by echocardiography. Patients with mild hypertension had significantly increased left ventricular mass index, concentric remodeling, and diastolic dysfunction. Thickness of right ventricular anterior wall, flow velocities across tricuspid and pulmonary valves were also significantly higher in hypertensives. Pulmonary flow acceleration time was significantly less in hypertensives. On multiple regression analysis, mitral valve 'A' wave velocity alone correlated with systolic blood pressure. Other echocardiographic variables did not have any relation with blood pressure readings. Height, weight, body surface area and body mass index could also explain only around 50% of variability in echocardiographic parameters. Cardiac structure and functions in hypertensives are affected by factors other than blood pressure reading, body surface area or body mass index. Routine echocardiography can be useful in identifying those patients of mild hypertension who have disproportionate increase in left ventricular mass or disproportionate impairment of diastolic functions.