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Left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in alcohol-associated hypertension
D Melina1, F Colivicchi, G Melina
1Istituto di Patologia Medica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
Insights
Hypertension combined with alcohol abuse significantly increases left ventricular mass and impairs diastolic function. Echocardiography is crucial for assessing cardiovascular risk in hypertensive alcoholics.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hypertension Research
- Alcohol-Associated Cardiovascular Disease
Background:
- Alcohol abuse is a significant public health concern with known cardiovascular implications.
- Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- The combined effects of hypertension and alcohol abuse on cardiac structure and function require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess left ventricular structure and diastolic function in hypertensive males with and without a history of alcohol abuse.
- To compare these parameters with normotensive controls.
- To investigate the role of echocardiography in defining cardiovascular risk in alcohol-associated hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Doppler echocardiography was performed on 50 hypertensive males (25 with and 25 without alcohol abuse history) and 20 normotensive controls.
- Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was conducted for 24 hours.
- Analysis included left ventricular mass and Doppler parameters of diastolic function.
Main Results:
- Alcoholic hypertensives exhibited significantly higher left ventricular mass compared to non-alcoholic hypertensives and normotensive controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.001).
- Doppler parameters indicated significantly worse left ventricular filling patterns in alcoholic hypertensives (p < 0.01).
- Blood pressure was similar, but mean daytime heart rate was higher in alcoholics (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Non-hemodynamic factors likely contribute to cardiovascular abnormalities in hypertensive alcoholics.
- Echocardiography is a valuable tool for risk stratification in alcohol-associated hypertension.
- Early cardiac assessment is recommended for hypertensive individuals with a history of alcohol abuse.
Abstract:
In order to assess left ventricular structure and diastolic function, 50 hypertensive male subjects, 25 with and 25 without a history of alcohol abuse, and 20 normotensive male controls underwent Doppler echocardiographic examination followed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for 24 hours. Left ventricular mass was significantly higher in alcoholic hypertensives in relation to non-alcoholic hypertensives (p < 0.05) and normotensive controls (p < 0.001). Moreover, Doppler parameters expressing left ventricular filling pattern were significantly worse in alcoholic than in non-alcoholic hypertensives (p < 0.01). Clinic and ambulatory blood pressure were similar in alcoholic and non-alcoholic hypertensives, while mean day-time heart rate was significantly higher in alcoholics (p < 0.01). Collected data suggest that non-hemodynamic factors are probably involved in the development of cardiovascular abnormalities in hypertensive alcoholics, and that echocardiography should be employed for risk-profile definition in alcohol-associated hypertension.