Targeting persistent normal left ventricular geometry in the general population: a 25-year follow-up study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Echocardiography
• Public Health

Background:

• Normal left ventricular (LV) geometry is a key indicator of cardiac health.
• Longitudinal data on the persistence of normal LV geometry in the general population are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term persistence of normal LV geometry in a community-based cohort.
• To identify factors associated with maintaining normal LV geometry over 25 years.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 433 participants in the Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate e Loro Associazioni study over 25 years.
• Collection of medical history, anthropometric data, blood pressure (office, home, ambulatory), blood tests, and echocardiography.

Main Results:

• 167 participants maintained normal LV mass and geometry over 25 years.
• Persistently normal LV geometry was associated with younger age, female sex, lower blood pressure, BMI, creatinine, glucose, and cholesterol.
• Independent predictors of persistent normal LV geometry included age, BMI, systolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose.

Conclusions:

• Persistence of normal LV geometry is associated with optimal systolic blood pressure, BMI, and blood glucose levels.
• Midlife control of these risk factors may preserve normal ventricular geometry.
• Maintaining normal LV geometry can reduce subclinical cardiac damage and associated complications in later life.