Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Reduction in Left Ventricular Wall Stress and Improvement in Function in Failing Hearts using Algisyl-LVR
07:24

Reduction in Left Ventricular Wall Stress and Improvement in Function in Failing Hearts using Algisyl-LVR

Published on: April 8, 2013

Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and prevention of stroke in hypertensive subjects

Paolo Verdecchia1, Fabio Angeli, Roberto Gattobigio

  • 1Struttura Complessa di Cardiologia, Hospital R. Silvestrini, Perugia, Italy. verdec@tin.it

American Journal of Hypertension
|May 2, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Changes in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) over time predict stroke risk in hypertensive patients. Persistent or new LVH increases cerebrovascular event risk, while regression offers protection.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a known risk marker for stroke.
  • Regression of LVH is associated with protection from stroke.
  • The impact of serial LVH changes on stroke risk in a mixed hypertensive population is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between serial changes in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and the risk of cerebrovascular events in hypertensive individuals.
  • To determine if echocardiographic LVH changes predict stroke risk independently of other factors.

Main Methods:

  • 880 untreated hypertensive subjects underwent echocardiography and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring at baseline and after 3.5 years.
  • Cerebrovascular events (stroke, transient ischemic attack) were recorded during follow-up.
  • Cox analysis was used to assess the risk associated with LVH changes.

Main Results:

  • The event rate for cerebrovascular events was significantly higher in subjects with lack of LVH regression or new LVH development (1.16 per 100 patient-years) compared to those with LVH regression or persistently normal LV mass (0.25 per 100 patient-years).
  • Lack of LVH regression or new LVH development was associated with a 2.8-fold increased risk of cerebrovascular events.
  • This association remained significant and independent of age and 24-h systolic blood pressure.

Conclusions:

  • Serial changes in echocardiographic indices of left ventricular hypertrophy can predict subsequent cerebrovascular events in hypertensive patients.
  • These LVH changes are independent predictors of stroke risk, even when considering office and ambulatory blood pressure.
  • Monitoring LVH progression or regression is crucial for assessing stroke risk in hypertensive populations.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications01:28

Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications

Multiple classes of antihypertensive medications are employed in treating hypertension. The most commonly recommended first-line treatments include:Thiazide Diuretics, such as chlorthalidone, increase sodium and water excretion from the body, reducing blood volume and blood pressure.Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, like lisinopril, block the conversion of angiotensin I to II, a potent vasoconstrictor lowering blood pressure.Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) prevent angiotensin II...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Regulation of Stroke Volume01:27

Regulation of Stroke Volume

The regulation of stroke volume, which is the amount of blood the heart pumps out during each heartbeat, is critical for maintaining a healthy circulatory system. Stroke volume is influenced by three main factors: preload, contractility, and afterload.
Preload refers to the degree of stretch on the heart before it contracts. It's analogous to the stretching of a rubber band; the more it's stretched, the more forcefully it snaps back. This concept is encapsulated in the Frank-Starling law of the...