Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) is the cardiomyopathy resulting from the response of the myocardium to the biomechanical stress imposed on the left ventricle by progressively increasing blood pressure. HHD is characterized by the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Complex alterations in myocardial histological composition (myocardial remodeling) underlie LVH and explain the overall risk of LVH and its associated cardiac complications. LVH may be accurately detected in hypertensive patients. Effective, long-term antihypertensive treatment is associated with regression of LVH. However, adequately treated patients still have considerable residual cardiovascular risk. Novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are needed to reduce adverse outcomes in HHD.
