Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026
In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
Hematocrit and left ventricular mass: the Framingham Heart study
Manish G Amin1, Hocine Tighiouart, Daniel E Weiner
1Division of Clinical Care Research, Department of Medicine, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
Insights
Lower hematocrit (Hct) is linked to increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in men and postmenopausal women without prior cardiovascular disease. This association suggests a potential cardiovascular risk factor in seemingly healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Anemia is a potential independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Hematocrit (Hct) may be associated with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hematocrit (Hct) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
- To examine these associations in individuals without diagnosed hypertension or cardiovascular disease using Framingham Heart Study data.
Main Methods:
- Linear and logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the association between Hct, LVMI, and LVH.
- Analyses were stratified by gender and menopausal status in women.
Main Results:
- A lower Hct was associated with higher LVMI in men and postmenopausal women after adjusting for confounders.
- Each 3% decrease in Hct correlated with a 2.6 g/m higher LVMI in men and 1.8 g/m higher LVMI in postmenopausal women.
- The lowest Hct quartile showed an increased odds ratio for LVH in men (2.0) and postmenopausal women (1.4).
Conclusions:
- A lower hematocrit is associated with echocardiographically determined left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in men and postmenopausal women.
- These findings suggest a potential link between hematocrit levels and subclinical cardiac changes in a population without known cardiovascular disease.
- The clinical significance of this association requires further investigation.
Objectives:
The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between hematocrit (Hct) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and LV hypertrophy (LVH) in subjects without known hypertension or cardiovascular disease in the Framingham Heart study.
Background:
Anemia may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the general population. One potential explanation for this finding could be an association between Hct with LVMI or LVH.
Methods:
Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between Hct with LVMI and LVH. All analyses were stratified by gender and further according to menopausal status in women.
Results:
There were 1,376 men and 1,769 women who met the inclusion criteria. The mean Hct and LVMI were 46.5% and 41.9%, and 127.3 and 95.8 g/m, respectively, in men and women. After adjustment for confounders, each 3% lower Hct was associated with a 2.6 g/m higher mean LVMI in men, and a 1.8 g/m higher mean LVMI in postmenopausal women (p < 0.05). There was a significant quadratic relationship between Hct and LVMI in premenopausal women (p < 0.01). Subjects in the lowest quartile of Hct (compared with the rest of the sample) had an adjusted odds ratio of LVH of 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3 to 3.0) in men and 1.4 (95% CI 0.8 to 2.4) in postmenopausal women.
Conclusions:
In a sample without known hypertension or cardiovascular disease, a lower Hct is associated with echocardiographically determined LVH in men and a small but significantly higher LVMI in men and postmenopausal women. The clinical importance of these findings remains unknown.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI