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Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Black Africans

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Abstract

Introduction

African–Americans present higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) when compared with white populations. However, there is a lack of information about the prevalence and determinants of LVH in black individuals living in Africa.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed with a non-probabilistic sample comprised of 609 University workers from Angola/Africa, describing the prevalence of LVH and the determinants of left ventricular mass. Echocardiographic measurements were performed and left ventricular mass was indexed to body surface area. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured, along with anthropometric and clinical variables.

Results

Chamber diameter and wall thickness were higher in men compared to women. Additionally, LVM was higher in men (114.2 ± 36 vs 98.4 ± 31.9, P < 0.001), and the overall prevalence of LVH in black Angolans was 41.1%, which tended to be higher in women (44.5 vs 37.4%, P = 0.096). In men, systolic blood pressure and BMI were independently associated with LVM, while age, systolic blood pressure and waist circumference were associated with LVM in women.

Conclusions

In summary, blood pressure levels were the main determinants of LVH in black Africans, although different anthropometric variables showed mild influence in LVM. Our data suggests that LVH prevalence and determinants in black Africans are similar to that reported for African–Americans.

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate the cooperation of the public-sector workers at UAN and the great work of the laboratory technicians. This study was supported by the Science and Development Foundation of Agostinho Neto University, Angola, Africa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathophysiology, Montes Claros State University-UNIMONTES, Av Rui Braga, Vila Mauricéia, 39401-089, Montes Claros, MG, Brazil

    Marcelo Perim Baldo

  2. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Agostinho Neto, Luanda, Angola

    Mauer A. Gonçalves, Daniel P. Capingana, Pedro Magalhães & Amilcar B. Tomé da Silva

  3. Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil

    Daniel P. Capingana, Pedro Magalhães, Amilcar B. Tomé da Silva & José Geraldo Mill

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  1. Marcelo Perim Baldo
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  2. Mauer A. Gonçalves
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  3. Daniel P. Capingana
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  4. Pedro Magalhães
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Correspondence to Marcelo Perim Baldo.

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Funding

This study was supported by the Science and Development Foundation of Agostinho Neto University, Angola, Africa.

Conflict of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Ethical Approval

The present study was approved by Institutional ethics committee.

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Written informed consent was obtained from each participant.

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Baldo, M.P., Gonçalves, M.A., Capingana, D.P. et al. Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Black Africans. High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev 25, 283–289 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40292-018-0267-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40292-018-0267-y

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