Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common pathologic finding, occurring in about 20% of a population of 50-year-olds, and more in older people. It represents an independent predictor of premature death that is as important as frequent ventricular premature beats. The enhanced risk is due to consecutive malignant ventricular arrhythmias and to heart failure. It is possible to prevent or reduce LVH with drugs such as ACE inhibitors, thus eliminating or diminishing the fatal consequences. Therefore, reliable diagnosis of LVH has been the subject of increased interest during the last two decades.