RESUMO
Structural and functional state of the heart and vessels was studied in elderly patients with borderline hypertension. Remodeling in these patients was compared with that in patients of the same age with normal or higher blood pressure levels. Analysis revealed substantial contribution in remodeling of both age and hypertensive factors. Compared with subjects with normal blood pressure patients with hypertension had greater myocardial mass, higher frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy with cases of concentric hypertrophy and isolated hypertrophy of interventricular septum. Elderly patients with borderline hypertension had more pronounced disturbances of diastolic function. Overall characteristics of patients with borderline hypertension were similar to those found in the elderly with higher level of hypertension. Presence of borderline hypertension was associated with higher than age specific stiffness of vessels. Character and degree of remodeling of the heart and vessels in the elderly patients with borderline hypertension evidence for elevated risk of cardiovascular complications.