Aortic calcification is associated with age and sex but not left ventricular mass in essential hypertension.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of aortic calcification in patients with essential hypertension and its relationship with age, sex, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Two hundred ninety consecutive patients with essential hypertension were studied. A chest radiograph and an echocardiograph were performed. Aortic calcification was observed in 74/290 (25.5%) patients. Patients with calcification were mostly female (67.6%) and older (71.8+1.9 years), whereas patients without calcification were younger (59.0+0.79) and of both sexes (51.85% female). Left ventricular mass index in male patients with aortic calcification was 147.3+4.32 g/m(2) and without calcification was 132.7+2.28 g/(2) (p=0.023). Female patients' values were 131.9+4.32 g/m(2) with calcification and 121.2+2.85 g/m(2) without calcification (p=0.025). Left ventricular mass was independently associated with age and sex but not with aortic calcification. The prevalence of aortic calcification in essential hypertension is considerably higher compared to the general population. Essential hypertension and age seem to contribute to the concurrent appearance of aortic calcification and increased left ventricular mass.