Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Transthoracic Speckle Tracking Echocardiography for the Quantitative Assessment of Left Ventricular Myocardial Deformation
09:05

Transthoracic Speckle Tracking Echocardiography for the Quantitative Assessment of Left Ventricular Myocardial Deformation

Published on: October 20, 2016

Left ventricular structural changes in young men at increased risk of developing essential hypertension. Assessment

J R Nielsen1, H Oxhøj, J Fabricius

  • 1Department of Clinical Physiology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.

American Journal of Hypertension
|December 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Young men at risk for hypertension show increased left ventricular mass index, particularly linked to elevated blood pressure rather than heredity. Physical activity impacts left ventricular mass differently across risk groups.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Research
  • Echocardiography

Background:

  • Essential hypertension is a significant cardiovascular risk factor.
  • Early detection of left ventricular structural changes is crucial for risk stratification.
  • Identifying predictors of cardiac remodeling in at-risk populations is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate left ventricular structural changes in young men at increased risk of essential hypertension.
  • To determine the influence of heredity and elevated blood pressure on cardiac remodeling.
  • To assess the role of physical activity in left ventricular mass index (LVMI).

Main Methods:

  • Echocardiography was used to assess left ventricular structure in four groups: normotensive offspring of hypertensives (NTO), borderline hypertensive offspring of hypertensives (BHO), borderline hypertensives (BH), and normotensive controls (NT).
  • Septum-posterior wall ratio and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were measured.
  • LVMI was adjusted for physical activity and analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance.

Main Results:

  • The septum-posterior wall ratio was elevated in all risk groups (NTO, BHO, BH) compared to normotensive controls (NT).
  • Adjusted LVMI was significantly increased in the risk groups.
  • Elevated blood pressure, not heredity, was the primary driver of increased LVMI in risk groups.
  • Physical activity independently predicted LVMI only in the normotensive group, while systolic blood pressure predicted LVMI in risk groups.

Conclusions:

  • Young men with a predisposition to hypertension exhibit significant left ventricular structural changes.
  • Elevated blood pressure is a key determinant of left ventricular remodeling in individuals at risk for hypertension.
  • The interplay between physical activity, blood pressure, and cardiac structure differs between normotensive and at-risk individuals.

More Related Videos

Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery08:17

Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery

Published on: February 20, 2017

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography06:34

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography

Published on: October 28, 2020

Related Concept Videos

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...
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
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...
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...
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...