Hypertension and the development of heart failure.

Hypertension is a well-known risk factor that predisposes to the development of left ventricular hypertrophy, coronary flow abnormalities, and systolic and diastolic dysfunction. This complex of abnormalities is known as hypertensive heart disease and eventually leads to heart failure. Structural lesions underlying this process include excess deposition of collagens and cellular infiltration, with an increase in the size of cardiac myocytes (remodeling). The occurrence of arteriolar lesions may lead to impediments of flow. Clinically, hypertensive heart disease manifests itself by anginal complaints and sometimes by silent ischemia, arrhythmias, and sudden death. Alterations in systolic and/or diastolic function may be associated with symptoms of heart failure. Although successful treatment of hypertension can probably retard the process of cardiac impairment, there is as yet no evidence that heart failure can be prevented.