Significance of left ventricular hypertrophy in primary hypertension and therapeutic modification by antihypertensive drugs

: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is one of the major cardiovascular risk factors. Without treatment a concentric form with left ventricular dysfunction develops characteristically into an excentric form with progressive heart failure. Many pathogenetically important factors are known. Treatment is possible with life-style modification and nearly all first-line antihypertensive drugs. It should aim at prevention or permanent normalisation of an existing LVH.