New insight into left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension

It is important that we learn to think of hypertension as a collection of different 'hypertensive syndromes', some of which are associated with LVH, and some not. The earlier we recognise LVH in those in whom it does occur, the better. I suggest that fibrosis in the heart and blood vessels is an early feature of hypertension, and that by the time most patients present, they already have a largely irreversible and, therefore, endstage disease. Finally, I show that MRI scanning is a sensitive method of defecting changes in LV mass at an early stage.