Prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with mild hypertension in primary care: impact of echocardiography on cardiovascular risk stratification.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an important predictor of cardiovascular risk, and its detection contributes to risk stratification. The aims of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of echocardiographic LVH and to evaluate the influence of echocardiography (ECHO) on cardiovascular risk stratification in hypertensive patients presenting in primary care.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 250 patients recently diagnosed with mild hypertension underwent clinical evaluation including electrocardiography (ECG), microalbuminuria measurement, 24-h blood pressure monitoring and ECHO.