The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy and associated factors in a Thai population.

Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been a bad prognostic factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However the prevalence and prognostic value of LVH are varied among nationalities and populations. Several factors have been shown to associate with LVH. Some factors are treatable such as hypertension. We prospectively studied the prevalence of LVH and associated factors in selected group of Thai population. The study population was 1,606 Shinawatra employees who were 30 year old or more. The prevalence of LVH was 13 per cent (210) among study population. Hypertension, lower body weight and male sex were significantly associated factors. In the subjects with LVH, the prevalence of hypertension was 25.6 per cent, male ratio was 5:1 and mean body weight was 57.7 kg, compare to 9.8 per cent prevalence of hypertension, 2:1 female ratio and mean body weight was 62.3 kg in the group without LVH.