[Regression of hypertension-induced left heart enlargement in an endurance athlete treated with verapamil RR].

In October 1987, Stage II arterial hypertension, probably of primary genesis, was diagnosed in a 52-year-old male patient. There was marked left-ventricular hypertrophy (left-ventricular muscle mass 224g, corresponding to 2.99 g/kg: mass-volume ratio of the left ventricle 1.9 g/ml; end-diastolic septum thickness 15 mm, posterior wall thickness 13 mm). The patient is engaged in endurance sports for 5-12h each week and participates regularly in competitions. He was not advised to terminate athletic activities. The patient's submaximum performance (supine ergometry) is 3.3 watts per kg body weight. Under therapy with 2 x 240 g Verapamil per day, blood pressure decreased in the course of a year by 30/30 mm Hg at rest and 30/20 mm Hg at a specified exercise level. The left ventricular muscle mass decreased by about 70g, the mass-volume ratio normalized to 1.3 g/ml.