Impact of a family history of hypertension and physical activity on left ventricular mass

BACKGROUND: Apositive family history of hypertension (FHH) (+FHH) is associated with elevated left ventricular mass (LVM). Regular physical activity (PA) may eliminate differences in LVM between +FHHand negative family history of hypertension (-FHH) adults. The aim of this study was to determine if a +FHHis associated with a greater LVM compared to a -FHHgroup within a sample of young, mostly active healthy adults with and without statistically controlling for PA. METHODS: Healthy young (18-32 y) participants self-reported FHHstatus and habitual moderate and vigorous PAfrequency. Participants then underwent an echocardiogram. RESULTS: Of the 61 participants, 32 (M=11, W=21; non-active=8) reported -FHHand the remaining 29 (M=13, W=16; non-active=2) reported a +FHH. Mann-Whitney tests found the +FHHgroup had greater LVM (-FHH129.5±41.8, +FHH155.2±42.6 g, P=0.015) and LVM/body surface area (BSA) (-FHH73.5±17.4, +FHH88.4±17.3 g/m2, P=0.004). Separate ANCOVAmodels accounting for moderate and vigorous PAfound that FHH status independently predicted LVM/BSA and PA frequencies were significant modifiers (ANCOVA controlling moderate PA: FHH status P=0.004, partial η2=0.133; moderate PA P=0.020, partial η2=0.089), (ANCOVAcontrolling vigorous PA: FHHstatus P=0.004, partial η2=0.132; vigorous PA P=0.007, partial η2=0.117). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis suggests that physically active young adults with a +FHHhave elevated LVM compared to their -FHHcounterparts. This finding is independent of their habitual moderate and vigorous physical activity frequencies.