Abstract

Left ventricular hypertrophy is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Its prevalence depends on the classification criteria and on specific population characteristics. Echocardiography has been clinically employed for more than 30 years, and it has become one of the most important non-invasive imaging methods in evaluation of cardiac morphology and function.
Despite the apparent simplicity of evaluation of left  ventricular hypertrophy by echocardiography, there are several intrinsic critical steps that should be taken into account, which otherwise may limit its clinical validity. This article gives an overview of the measurements that have been used in evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy as well as of the indications for echocardiography in patients with essential hypertension.