Left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a cardinal manifestation of hypertensive organ damage associated with an increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. We reviewed recent literature on the prevalence of LVH, as assessed by echocardiography, in order to offer an updated information on the magnitude of subclinical alterations in LV structure in contemporary human hypertension. A MEDLINE search using key words ‘left ventricular hypertrophy’, ‘hypertension’, ‘echocardiography’ and ‘cardiac organ damage’ was performed in order to identify relevant papers. Full articles published in English language in the last decade, (1 January 2000–1 December 2010), reporting studies in adult or elderly individuals, were considered. A total of 30 studies, including 37 700 untreated and treated patients (80.3% Caucasian, 52.4% men, 9.6% diabetics, 2.6% with CV disease) were considered. LVH was defined by 23 criteria; its prevalence ranged from 36% (conservative criteria) to 41% (less conservative criteria) in the pooled population. LVH prevalence was not different between women and men (range 37.9–46.2 versus 36.0–43.5%, respectively). Eccentric LVH was more frequent than concentric hypertrophy (range 20.3–23.0 versus 14.8–15.8, respectively, P<0.05); concentric phenotype was found in a consistent fraction (20%) of both genders. Despite the improved management of hypertension in the last two decades, LVH remains a highly frequent biomarker of cardiac damage in the hypertensive population. Our analysis calls for a more aggressive treatment of hypertension and related CV risk factors leading to LVH.

Arterial hypertension and stroke are strong independent risk factors for the development of cognitive impairment and dementia. Persistently elevated blood pressure (BP) is known to impair cognitive function, however onset of new cognitive decline is common following a large and multiple mini strokes. Among various forms of dementia the most prevalent include Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) which often present with similar clinical symptoms and challenging diagnosis. While hypertension is the most important modifiable vascular risk factor with antihypertensive therapy reducing the risk of stroke and potentially slowing cognitive decline, optimal BP levels for maintaining an ideal age-related mental performance are yet to be established. Cognition has improved following the use of at least one representative agent of the major drug classes with further neuroprotection with renin angiotensin inhibitors and calcium channel blockers in the hypertensive elderly. However, a reduction in BP may worsen cerebral perfusion causing an increased risk of CV complications due to the J-curve phenomenon. Given the uncertainties and conflicting results from randomized trials regarding the hypertension management in the elderly, particularly octogenarians, antihypertensive approaches are primarily based on expert opinion. Herein, we summarize available data linking arterial hypertension to cognitive decline and antihypertensive approach with potential benefits in improving cognitive function in elderly hypertensive patients.

Reverse or inverted dipping (ie, the phenomenon characterized by higher nighttime compared with daytime blood pressure values) is an alteration of circadian blood pressure rhythm frequently documented in hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and sleep apnea syndrome, and generally regarded as a harmful condition. Available literature on the clinical and prognostic implications of reverse dipping is scanty. The present article will review a number of relevant issues concerning reverse dipping, in particular: (1) its possible mechanisms; (2) prevalence and clinical correlates, (3) concomitant cardiac and extracardiac subclinical organ damage; (4) association with acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases; (5) prognostic value in predicting cardiovascular events and mortality; and (6) therapeutic interventions aimed at reverting this abnormal circadian blood pressure rhythm.

Morbid obesity, a condition increasingly treated with bariatric procedures, is strongly associated with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and impaired LV function. We analyzed the literature to provide comprehensive information on cardiac structural and functional changes, as assessed by imaging techniques, after bariatric surgery. The studies were identified by the following search terms: “bariatric surgery,” “obesity,” “left ventricle,” “left ventricular hypertrophy,” “cardiac hypertrophy,” “ventricular dysfunction,” “left ventricular hypertrophy regression,” “echocardiography,” “magnetic resonance imaging,” and “cardiac imaging techniques.” In a pooled population of 1,022 obese subjects with preserved systolic function included in 23 studies, bariatric procedures induced (i) a decrease in LV mass (standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.46; P < 0.001) and relative wall thickness (SMD = −0.20; P < 0.001); (ii) an improvement of LV diastolic function, as reflected by the increase in mitral flow E/A ratio (SMD = +0.39; P < 0.001); (iii) a decrease in left atrium diameter (SMD = −0.26; P < 0.001); or (iv) no changes in LV ejection fraction (SMD = +0.03; P = 0.46). The present meta-analysis, the largest to date focusing on cardiac structural and functional changes in morbidly obese subjects after bariatric surgery, documents that this therapeutic approach exerts important cardioprotective effects in terms of regression of LV hypertrophy, improvement of LV geometry and diastolic function, and reduction of left atrial size.

Few issues of modern cardiovascular medicine have been as controversial as the relationship between white-coat hypertension (WCH), that is, a common condition in which office blood pressure is elevated while out-of-office blood pressure (ambulatory blood pressure or home blood pressure) is normal. While earlier studies showed no increased risk of cardiovascular events in WCH compared with the normotensive state, more recent studies have changed this conclusion by showing that an increased cardiovascular risk represents a trait of this hypertensive phenotype. The present article will review a number of issues related to WCH, that is, its definition, pathophysiological background, clinical alterations, and prognostic significance. This will be done by considering the available evidence published during the last decades, with special focus on the data collected in PAMELA (Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate e Loro Associazioni)—a research project performed with a cross-sectional and longitudinal design, which has provided a series of novel clinical information on WCH throughout the years. The final part of the article will discuss the therapeutic implications of the abovementioned evidence, as well as some controversial or still undefined issues related to WCH, whose investigation will be an important goal to pursue by future research.