Objective: The aim of this study was to define in a population of hypertensive Black African, the frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the different kind of LVH, and the factors of LVH occurring.
Methods: Clinical and echographic (according to Penn convention) data was collected in 452 consecutive hypertensive patients (193 women and 259 men). LVH was defined as an indexed left ventricular mass (ILVM) > 134 g/m2 in man and 110 g/m2 in woman.
Results: The mean systolic blood pressure was 187 mmHg, and the mean diastolic, 111 mmHg. The mean ILVM was 135.25 g/m2. LVH was present in 53.3% of the patients. Concentric LVH represented 48.5%, eccentric LVH 41.1%, and asymmetric hypertrophy of the septum, 10.4%. LVH increased with patient's age (p = 0.008), hypertension severity (p = 0.0001), and the ancientness of the hypertension (p = 0.0001).
Conclusion: LVH is frequent in hypertensive black African, and concentric LVH is the most frequent kind of LVH. Factors of LVH occurring are patient's age, severity and the ancientness of the hypertension.