Comparison of ascending aortic strain between hypertensives and healthy controls

The study titled Comparison of ascending aortic strain between hypertensives and healthy controls using echocardiographic imaging is a single-center prospective observational study. The study aims to compare ascending aortic strain between hypertensive patients and healthy controls. The primary objective is to compare ascending aortic strain between hypertensive patients and healthy controls. The secondary objective is to examine the correlation between aortic strain and LV mass in hypertensive patients and to find the correlation between aortic strain and LV function parameters. 

Patients diagnosed with hypertension according to the 2025 AHA/ACC guidelines and healthy controls referred for an echocardiography will be screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Healthy controls will include individuals who come for routine cardiac evaluation with no comorbidities. Study will be explained to the participants, and informed consent will be obtained. Demographic data will be documented from the case sheet. Echocardiographic parameters will be recorded and stored along with connected ECG. Initially, a few cases will be evaluated for inter-rater reliability between two investigators (a postgraduate student and an experienced sonographer) for echocardiographic parameters such as aortic strain, LV strain, LV mass, etc.