Diastolic dysfunction as a link between hypertension and heart failure.

LVDD as an early measure of myocardial end-organ damage is commonly associated with hypertension and may well precede development of LVH in hypertension. About half of the patients presenting with heart failure have a normal ejection fraction, a clinical syndrome that is commonly referred to as HFPEF or diastolic heart failure and is commonly associated with impaired LV relaxation and increased diastolic stiffness. DD and HFPEF are commonly associated with advancing age and hypertension and increase in prevalence in association with these conditions, but there is a paucity of data on any specific therapeutic regimen. Hypertension control appears to be the most effective strategy in improving diastolic function and possibly for reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with HFPEF.