Impact of a family history of hypertension and physical activity on left ventricular mass.

Background: A positive family history of hypertension (FHH) (+FHH) is associated with elevated left ventricular mass (LVM). Regular physical activity (PA) may eliminate differences in LVM between +FHH and negative family history of hypertension (-FHH) adults. The aim of this study was to determine if a +FHH is associated with a greater LVM compared to a -FHH group within a sample of young, mostly active healthy adults with and without statistically controlling for PA.

Methods: Healthy young (18-32 y) participants self-reported FHH status and habitual moderate and vigorous PA frequency. Participants then underwent an echocardiogram.

Results: Of the 61 participants, 32 (M=11, W=21; non-active=8) reported -FHH and the remaining 29 (M=13, W=16; non-active=2) reported a +FHH. Mann-Whitney tests found the +FHH group had greater LVM (-FHH 129.5±41.8, +FHH 155.2±42.6 g, P=0.015) and LVM/body surface area (BSA) (-FHH 73.5±17.4, +FHH 88.4±17.3 g/m, P=0.004). Separate ANCOVA models accounting for moderate and vigorous PA found that FHH status independently predicted LVM/BSA and PA frequencies were significant modifiers (ANCOVA controlling moderate PA: FHH status P=0.004, partial η=0.133; moderate PA P=0.020, partial η=0.089), (ANCOVA controlling vigorous PA: FHH status P=0.004, partial η=0.132; vigorous PA P=0.007, partial η=0.117).

Conclusions: This analysis suggests that physically active young adults with a +FHH have elevated LVM compared to their -FHH counterparts. This finding is independent of their habitual moderate and vigorous physical activity frequencies.