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Published on: June 14, 2016
Cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension
1Cattedra Semeiotica e Metodologia Medica, Università di Brescia, Italy. agabiti@master cci.unibs.it
Insights
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) predicts cardiovascular events in hypertension. Reversing LVH is a key therapeutic goal for hypertensive patients, potentially improving prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a significant predictor of cardiovascular events in the general population and essential hypertension patients.
- LVH prevalence rises with age and renal impairment severity, indicating its link to systemic health.
- LVH serves as a sensitive marker for structural changes in both large and small arteries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies on left ventricular hypertrophy in the elderly.
- To explore the relationship between cardiac and vascular hypertrophy.
- To assess the potential for reversing LVH and its prognostic implications in hypertensive individuals.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on left ventricular hypertrophy.
- Analysis of interrelations between cardiac and vascular structures.
- Evaluation of prognostic value and reversibility of LVH.
Main Results:
- Left ventricular hypertrophy is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events.
- Age and renal impairment severity correlate with increased LVH prevalence.
- LVH indicates vascular structural changes, highlighting its systemic impact.
Conclusions:
- Reversing left ventricular hypertrophy is a critical therapeutic objective in managing hypertensive patients.
- Understanding LVH characteristics, its reversibility, and prognostic value is essential for treatment strategies.
- Further research into cardiac and vascular hypertrophy interrelations can inform therapeutic interventions.
Abstract:
In the general population and in patients with essential hypertension the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events, independent of blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors. The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy increases with age and with the severity of renal impairment. Left ventricular hypertrophy is also a sensitive indicator of vascular structural changes in both large and small arteries. The possibility of reversing left ventricular hypertrophy therefore represents a major therapeutic goal for the treatment of hypertensive patients. Several studies examining the characteristics of left ventricular hypertrophy in the elderly, the interrelations between cardiac and vascular hypertrophy, the possibility of reversing left ventricular hypertrophy and its consequent prognostic value will be reported and commented on in the present review.
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