Antihypertensive drug therapy and regression of left ventricular hypertrophy: a review with a focus on diuretics*

Regression of LVH is a reasonable adjunctive goal of blood pressure treatment, given the well described risks of hypertrophy and the possible benefits inherent in its reversal. Data suggest that any of the presently recommended agents for initial monotherapy, i.e. diuretics, beta adrenergic inhibitors, ACE inhibitors, or calcium blockers, are effective in achieving regression of hypertrophy if blood pressure lowering is achieved. While there may be other factors that play a role in the genesis and maintenance of cardiac hypertrophy in the hypertensive subject, it would appear that blood pressure elevation is probably the most important one. If reduction of blood pressure to normotensive levels can be achieved and maintained by the use of any of the antihypertensive agents (including the vasodilators, if used in combination with adrenergic inhibitors and/or diuretics), there is a reasonable chance that cardiac hypertrophy can be prevented or reversed and prognosis improved.