Complete reversal of hypertensive cardiomyopathy after initiating combined antihypertensive therapy.

Hypertensive cardiomyopathy is a common complication of hypertension, with a prevalence ranging from 12% to 26%. It is associated with an increased cardiac mortality and morbidity. Lifestyle changes and antihypertensive therapy usually have a significant, but relatively small effect on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk. In this paper, we describe a 39-year-old woman with severe LVH. On transthoracic echocardiogram there was concentric LVH, systolic function was a mildly reduced and there was diastolic dysfunction grade III. After only 6 months of therapy with a combination of antihypertensive agents, the left ventricular mass index was reduced by 29%, systolic function was normal and the diastolic dysfunction improved to grade I. This paper shows that in hypertensive cardiomyopathy, even severe LVH can be completely reversible. 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.