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How far can population epidemiology contribute to defining the relationship between hypertension and left ventricular systolic dysfunction?

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 19, pages 919–922 (2005)Cite this article

The debate on the link between hypertension and systolic heart failure has been re-examined often and many such considerations are contained in pertinent reviews of the epidemiology, for example by Kazzam et al.1 Nonetheless, the linkage between hypertension and either subsequent heart failure symptoms or a ‘heart failure’ diagnosis is complex.

The distinction between these classifications, that are not well delineated in epidemiology of systolic left ventricular dysfunction, is only one of the issues that influence any analysis of the progression from hypertensive heart disease to systolic heart failure.2 While the onset of systolic left ventricular dysfunction is an ominous diagnostic event,3 it is not the only reason for the transition of hypertension to heart failure symptoms.4

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK

    R J MacFadyen, D Goyal & G Y H Lip

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  1. R J MacFadyen
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  2. D Goyal
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  3. G Y H Lip
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Correspondence to R J MacFadyen.

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MacFadyen, R., Goyal, D. & Lip, G. How far can population epidemiology contribute to defining the relationship between hypertension and left ventricular systolic dysfunction?. J Hum Hypertens 19, 919–922 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001927

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