A Contemporary Approach to Hypertensive Cardiomyopathy: Reversing Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To highlight pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to reversing hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We identify high-risk phenotypes that may benefit from aggressive blood pressure (BP) management to prevent incident outcomes such as the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart failure.

RECENT FINDINGS

LVH is a modifiable risk factor. Intensive BP lowering (systolic BP < 120 mmHg) induces greater regression of electrocardiographic LVH than standard BP targets. The optimal agents for inducing LVH regression include renin-angiotensinogen-aldosterone system inhibitors and calcium channel blockers, although recent meta-analyses have demonstrated superior efficacy of non-hydrochlorothiazide diuretics. Novel agents (such as sacubitril/valsartan) and non-pharmacological approaches (like bariatric surgery) hold promise but longitudinal studies assessing their impact on clinical outcomes are needed. LVH regression is achievable with appropriate therapy with first-line antihypertensive agents. Additional studies are warranted to assess if intensive BP lowering in high-risk groups (such as blacks, women, and malignant LVH) improves outcomes.