Key result
Male hypertensive patients show higher rates of moderate to severe LVH than females.
Why the study?
Left ventricular hypertrophy is a common structural adaptation in hypertensive patients associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, but its frequency and distribution by gender, age, and clinical features require further characterization.
Cross-Sectional (n=376)
Yes
Among hypertensive patients in a Pakistani tertiary care setting, males demonstrated a higher frequency of moderate to severe left ventricular hypertrophy, which was strongly associated with diastolic dysfunction and heart failure.
Sex differences in LVH severity among hypertensives should not change practice; leaves open need for prospective outcome studies.
Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a structural adaptation of the heart that commonly develops in response to chronic hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders. Increased left ventricular wall thickness is associated with diastolic dysfunction, heart failure, arrhythmias, and an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Echocardiography is the most reliable non-invasive imaging modality for assessing left ventricular wall thickness and identifying LVH. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the frequency and distribution of left ventricular wall thickness among hypertensive patients and to evaluate its association with gender, age, diastolic dysfunction, and heart failure using echocardiography. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 376 hypertensive patients aged over 30 years. Echocardiographic examinations were performed to measure left ventricular wall thickness, which was categorized as 12–14 mm, 15–17 mm, and >17 mm. Demographic characteristics and clinical variables, including age, gender, diastolic dysfunction, and heart failure, were recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation to determine the frequency distribution of study variables. Results: Of the 376 participants, 205 (54.5%) were male and 171 (45.5%) were female. Left ventricular wall thickness was 12–14 mm in 105 (27.9%) patients, 15–17 mm in 214 (56.9%) patients, and >17 mm in 57 (15.2%) patients. The highest frequency of increased wall thickness (15–17 mm) was observed among male participants. Most participants belonged to the 61–70-year age group. Diastolic dysfunction was present in 233 (62.0%) patients, with the majority demonstrating a left ventricular wall thickness of 15–17 mm. Heart failure was identified in 136 (36.2%) participants, including 81 males and 55 females. Conclusion: Increased left ventricular wall thickness was common among hypertensive patients, particularly in older adults and males. Left ventricular wall thickness was strongly associated with diastolic dysfunction and was frequently observed in patients with heart failure. Echocardiography remains an essential diagnostic tool for the early detection and assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy, facilitating timely clinical management and reducing the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
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Gul et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (n=376). Male gender vs. Female gender was evaluated on Frequency and distribution of left ventricular wall thickness categories. Male hypertensive patients exhibited a higher prevalence of moderate to severe left ventricular hypertrophy compared to females, with 131 males having a wall thickness of 15-17 mm and 35 males >17 mm.
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