Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery
08:17

Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery

Published on: February 20, 2017

Masked hypertension and echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy: an updated overview

Cesare Cuspidi1, Francesca Negri, Carla Sala

  • 1Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy. cesare.cuspidi@unimib.it

Blood Pressure Monitoring
|December 21, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Masked hypertension (MH), where blood pressure is high outside the clinic, is linked to increased left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). More research is needed to confirm this association and explore treatment benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Research
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Masked hypertension (MH) is an underdiagnosed condition associated with subclinical organ damage and elevated cardiovascular risk.
  • Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a key indicator of cardiac damage and a predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
  • The relationship between MH and LVH requires further investigation to understand its clinical implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review recent literature on the association between masked hypertension and echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy.
  • To synthesize evidence regarding the prevalence of LVH in patients with MH compared to normotensive and other hypertensive groups.
  • To identify gaps in current knowledge and guide future research directions.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive MEDLINE search was conducted using keywords related to masked hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, and cardiac damage.
  • Included studies were published in English between December 1999 and July 2011, focusing on adult or elderly populations.
  • Reference lists of selected articles were reviewed to identify additional relevant studies, resulting in the analysis of 13 studies involving 966 patients with MH.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of LVH varied significantly across studies, ranging from 7% to 66% in patients with MH.
  • Compared to non-MH counterparts (0.4% to 42%), patients with MH exhibited a higher average prevalence of LVH (29% vs. 9%, P<0.01).
  • The findings suggest a potential link between elevated blood pressure outside of clinical settings and cardiac structural changes.

Conclusions:

  • Limited evidence currently supports a definitive association between masked hypertension and echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy in clinically normotensive individuals.
  • Further research is warranted to strengthen the evidence base and elucidate the impact of antihypertensive therapies on subclinical cardiac damage in MH patients.

More Related Videos

Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Experimental Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension10:03

Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Experimental Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Published on: June 27, 2025

Comprehensive Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventricle Function in a Rat Model of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension07:38

Comprehensive Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventricle Function in a Rat Model of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Published on: January 20, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction01:20

Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction

Mitral regurgitation is characterized by the backward circulation of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium during systole, a phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood out of the chambers. This abnormal flow occurs primarily due to the dysfunction of the mitral valve or its supporting structures, which include the mitral leaflets, chordae tendineae, annulus, and papillary muscles.Etiology and Mechanisms:Primary Mitral Regurgitation: This type arises from...
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction01:22

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
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...