[Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic studies in borderline hypertensive patients]

31 male patients (average age 44.0 +/- 8.5 years) suffering from borderline hypertension for many years were examined in comparison with 55 male patients (average age 44.2 +/- 10.1 years) having normotension. We used a conventional electrocardiogram and a two-dimensionally controlled M-mode echocardiogram to diagnose left ventricular hypertrophy of the heart (LVH). Electrocardiographic examinations did not clearly reveal LVH. Septal and posterior wall thicknesses measured by echocardiography as well as the calculated left ventricular muscular mass showed significantly higher mean values in patients suffering from borderline hypertension. An end-diastolic septum thickness equal to or larger than 11 mm and/or a left ventricular muscular mass larger than 155 g showed an LVH prevalence of 26 to 32 per cent in patients with borderline hypertension compared with 13 to 15 per cent in patients having normal blood pressure values. After the relativation of the values measured by the echocardiogram with respect to the body surface, there was no more evidence of significant values. Positive correlations were particularly found between the body weight and the echocardiogram parameters and not so much between the body weight and the blood pressure or the blood pressure and the measured echocardiogram values. No correlation was found concerning the duration of the borderline hypertension of our subjects.