Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in the Elderly.
The prevalence of LVH increases markedly with aging approaching one third of men and one half of women 70 years or older. Several determinants of LVH have been defined including systemic hypertension, obesity and several other hemodynamic and nonhemodynamic stimuli. The grave prognostic role of LVH has been well documented and the following potential sequelae of LVH have been identified: myocardial ischemia and infarction, ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure with a preserved or impaired left ventricular systolic function, cerebrovascular disease and cardiovascular mortality. The presence of comorbid conditions coupled with the high prevalence rate of LVH in the elderly population enhances the susceptibility of this population and underscores the urgent need to adopt strategies that help to prevent the development of LVH and explore the potential beneficial effects of reversing it.