The left ventricle is markedly thickened in this patient with severe hypertension that was untreated for many years. The myocardial fibers have undergone hypertrophy as a consequence of the increased pressure load. The result is similar to a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

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The effect of increased afterload from hypertension on cardiac physiologic parameters is shown above in red, with normal parameters in black for comparison.