BackgroundWhether differential effects of volume load on left ventricular mass (LVM) and function occur in sustained volume-dependent primary hypertension, and the impact of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on these effects, is unknown.MethodsFrom aortic pressure, velocity and diameter measurements and echocardiography, we determined in an African community (n = 772), the impact of systemic flow-induced increases in central pulse pressure (PPc) and circulating ANP (ELISA) on LVM and indexes of function.ResultsStroke volume (SV), but not aortic flow (Q), was associated with LVM and mean wall thickness (MWT) beyond stroke work and confounders (p 0.14) and adjustments for neither SV nor Q modified relationships between PPc and s', e' or E/e' (p