BACKGROUND: @entity4346 ( @entity4346 ) detected at electrocardiography (ECG) is a predictor of an increased cardiovascular risk in essential @entity101 . However, uncertainty remains concerning the reproducibility of ECG @entity4346 and the prognostic relevance of its regression over time in @entity101 . The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of baseline ECG @entity4346 and its serial changes in a large cohort of @entity101 @entity1 . METHODS: The @entity1184 at ECG and its Regression during Treatment Survey (HEART Survey) is a prospective observational study conducted in 66 Italian centers. Inclusion criteria are essential @entity101 with ECG @entity4346 defined by the Perugia score (Cornell voltage criteria and/or a typical left ventricular "strain" pattern and/or a Romhilt-Estes score > or = 5 points) in subjects aged 45-84 years. The treatment of @entity101 and other risk factors accords with current guidelines and is individually tailored. ECG is recorded twice at entry and periodically repeated over a 4-year follow-up period. Expert readers (unaware of the clinical findings) classify ECG. The incidence of major cardiovascular events in relation to baseline ECG and its changes over time are assessed, together with the reproducibility in the two baseline recordings. Overall, 708 @entity1 aged 64 +/- 9 years have been enrolled in centers from northern (27%), central (32%) and southern (41%) Italy. Their baseline characteristics are presented. Follow-up is ongoing. CONCLUSIONS: The HEART Survey will examine the prognostic value of baseline ECG @entity4346 and of its regression over time in a wide population of @entity101 @entity1 .

@entity1184 at ECG and its regression during treatment survey (HEART survey). Rationale, design and baseline characteristics of XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity1184 :: ('MESH:D006984', 'Disease') :: ['Hypertrophy'] @entity4346 :: ('MESH:D017379', 'Disease') :: ['Left ventricular hypertrophy', 'LVH'] @entity101 :: ('MESH:D006973', 'Disease') :: ['hypertension', 'hypertensive']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['patients']
