Effect of Family History of Hypertension on Left Ventricular Mass in Normotensive Individuals

Introduction: Presence of family history of hypertension is a strong predictor of development of hypertension in normotensive subjects. Increased left ventricular mass might antedate the development of hypertension in the individuals destined to develop systemic hypertension in life. Aim: To study the left ventricular mass in offspring of normotensive parents (ONP) and offspring of hypertensive parents (OHP) and to find the variations in between the two groups. Materials and Method: 75 healthy normotensive individuals with family history of hypertension and 75 healthy normotensive individuals without family history of hypertension were included in the study .LV mass was calculated by using 2D M-mode echocardiography by the formula given by American society of Echocardiography, LV mass= 0.8 × [ 1.04 × (LVIDd + IVSd + PWd)3 – (LVIDd)3] + 0.6 grams.[LVIDd – Left ventricular internal diameter during diastole; IVSd- Interventricular septal thickness during diastole; PWd – Posterior wall thickness during diastole]. Observation and Results: Left ventricular mass was significantly higher in the normotensive individuals with familyhistory of hypertension (64.33±20.22g) when compared to those without family history (56.12±16.13g). Conclusion: The present study reveals increased left ventricular mass in normotensive individuals with family history of hypertension. Early evaluation of left ventricular mass and life style modification are recommended in healthy normotensive individuals with family history of hypertension to prevent and delay the clinical symptomatolgy of hypertension.