LEFT-VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY IN HYPERTENSION

Left ventricular hypertrophy associated with hypertension is characterised by an increase in ventricular mass, secondary to hypertrophy of myocardial cells and to the development of collagen tissue and capillaries. Easily detectable by electrocardiography, it occurs in 30 to 60% of hypertension patients, in a concentric form with symmetric or assymetric thickening of the walls, or in an eccentric form with dilatation of the ventricular cavity. It impairs the functional properties of the myocardium, first affecting diastolic function then, later, systolic function. It interferes with the coronary circulation, with a decrease in coronary reserves and hypoperfusion of subendocardial layers. It predisposes to the onset of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. It is a major and independent risk factor, severely marring the prognosis of hypertension sufferers.