The relationship between left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertension phenotypes in untreated hypertensive population

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate which hypertension phenotype can be better correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy in the untreated hypertensive population. Design and method: 175 consecutive subjects (42% male) aged 57.9±14.9 years were included in the study. Subjects were never treated before for hypertension. All subjects underwent 24h-ABPM on a usual working day, while office BP was measured in the clinic using a mercury sphygmomanometer. Left ventricular hypertrophy was evaluated by a cardiologist with the use of a 3D echocardiography. Results: Regarding patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, 45% of the population were confirmed hypertensives and 36, 7% were masked hypertensives. Only 10% presented a white coat phenotype and 8.3% normal values of blood pressure. Of those presenting a non-dipping status, 55.3% found to have left ventricular hypertrophy, while of those presenting a dipping status, only 33.3% found to have left ventricular hypertrophy. Conclusions: These results indicate that the confirmed and masked hypertensive population as well as the non-dipping population present higher percentages of left ventricular hypertrophy. This population have to be monitored and followed up more often to prevent heart failure.