Electrocardiographic criteria for LVH correlate weakly with echocardiographic or MRI definitions of LVH and are less strongly related to CVD Imprecision in lead placement accounts, in part, for the poor correlation of electrocardiographic mea- surements with direct imaging results. However, electrocar- diographic LVH has been valuable in predicting CVD risk in some reports.S7.2-16,S7.2-17 Electrocardiography may also be useful in the assessment of comorbidities, such as rhythm disturbances and prior MI. LVH, as assessed by electrocardiography, echocar- diography, or MRI, is an independent predictor of CVD Reduction in LVH can predict a reduction in CVD risk, independent of change in BP.S7.2-20 When used in CVD risk predictor models, echocardiographic LVH has a small but significant independent effect on CVD risk in younger patients. At older ages, LVH measured by electrocardiography or MRI provides no independent con- tribution to prediction of CVD risk.S7.2-21 S7.2-23 Patients can be classified into 4 groups on the basis of the presence or absence of LVH and a determination of whether the LVH has an eccentric (normal relative wall thickness) or concentric 8. Treatment of High BP Clinicians managing adults with high BP should focus on over- all patient health, with a particular emphasis on reducing the risk of future adverse CVD outcomes. All patient risk factors need to be managed in an integrated fashion with a comprehen- sive set of nonpharmacological (see Section 6) and pharmaco- logical strategies. As patient BP and risk of future CVD events increase, BP management should be intensified. 8.1. Pharmacological Treatment 8.1.1. 