COMBINED EFFECTS OF BLOOD-PRESSURE AND BODY-MASS INDEX ON LEFT-VENTRICULAR STRUCTURE IN MIDDLE-AGED MALES - CROSS-SECTIONAL AND 2-YEAR LONGITUDINAL RESULTS

Objective: To compare the 2-year longitudinal with the cross-sectional relationships of blood pressure and body mass index with echocardiogr aphic left ventricular measurements in middle-aged males with no histo ry of cardiovascular disease or hypertension. Methods: M-mode echocard iograms of adequate quality were obtained at initial and 2-year follow -up examinations in 177 subjects. Measurements of left ventricular wal l thickness and internal dimensions were made, and estimates of left v entricular mass/height were calculated. Longitudinal changes in left v entricular measurements and risk factors were computed as the differen ces between the follow-up and initial values. Results: Systolic blood pressure (SEP) was significantly associated with left ventricular mass /height and wall thickness in cross-sectional and in longitudinal anal yses. Similar results were observed after adjusting for age, body mass index, sport activity and heart rate. Although body mass index was st rongly related to left ventricular mass/height, wall thickness and int ernal dimension in the cross-sectional study, no significant associati ons were observed between changes in body mass index and in left ventr icular measurements. Conclusions: The present study emphasizes the dif ferential effects of spontaneous changes in blood pressure and body ma ss index on the evolution of the left ventricular mass in middle-aged males. Spontaneous changes in SEP during the 2-year follow-up period w ere associated with rapid changes in left ventricular structure. The 2 -year period might not have been sufficient for body mass index to ind uce changes in left ventricular structure. The duration and amplitude of body weight changes which entail changes in left ventricular mass r emain to be determined by further longitudinal investigations.