The left ventricular diastolic function in patients with hypertension and calcium inhibitors

One of the first detectable signs of hypertensive heart disease is impairment of left ventricular filling. This filling defect depends, although not exclusively, on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), load factors and ischemic factors. LVH is an adaptive phenomenon triggered by the dysfunction of various parameters, such as increased in peripheral resistance, reduced arterial elasticity and increased sodium reserve. Calcium channel inhibitors act at several levels to permit regression of the LVH and contribute to improved left ventricular filling conditions.