Department of Cardiology and Endocrinology, Frederiksberg University Hospital, Nordre Fasanvej 57, DK-2000 Frederiksberg-Copenhagen, Denmark. frants@dadlnet.dk
BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the occurrence of isolated diastolic dysfunction (DD) in the general population is limited. AIMS: This population study was performed to assess the frequency and distribution pattern of echocardiographic indices of left ventricular (LV) DD in an elderly population aged 50-89 years in which LV systolic function is preserved. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population (n=764) recruited from the background population answered a heart failure questionnaire and underwent echocardiography. Excluding subjects with a LV ejection fraction