Hypertensive heart disease.

ABSTRACT

Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) is a common problem in clinical practice. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is pathognomonic of HHD. Echo-Doppler study is the modality of choice to document cardiac involvement in hypertension. 'Radiology of chest and electrocardiography (ECG) are highly insensitive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces similar results like echo but is not cost-effective. LVH is not merely related to haemodynamic load but several other factors are also involved in its genesis. LVH is a powerful and independent prognostic determinant for future cardiovascular and coronary events. LVH can be regressed by drugs but the aim in future should be prevention of LVH rather than its regression.