Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is caused by impaired relaxation and increased left ventricular stiffness with a consequent increase in filling pressures. Currently, it is possible to classify it in 3 grades: grade 1 with normal filling pressures, grade 2 and grade 3 with high pressures. Diastolic dysfunction is closely associated with several risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, as well as the risk of heart failure, cardiovascular events, and death. In the field of cerebrovascular diseases, however, diastolic dysfunction is still being researched. Thus, this study aims to: 1) evaluate the white matter hyperintensities volume in association with the increase of diastolic dysfunction and filling pressures 2) evaluate the possible association with carotid atherosclerosis in case of brain damage caused by dysfunction diastolic 3) understand the mechanism of damage caused by left ventricular diastolic dysfunction on the cerebrovascular system. In order to do this, this study proposes to evaluate in a cohort of patients, between 35 and 65 years, the possible association of diastolic dysfunction with lesions on the cerebrovascular system in a future view of new marker of brain damage and new modifiable risk factor.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age ≥ 35 and ≤ 65 years
• written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• previous stroke or TIA
• arrhythmia or severe cardiac disease
• renal disease
• psychiatric disease
• neurological or neurodegenerative disease
• dementia
• previous carotid artery stenting or carotid surgery
• inability to be subjected MRI analysis

Subjects will be selected from patients attending the Department of AngioCardioNeurology of the IRCCS Neuromed, accordingly to the following inclusion/exclusion criteria. Approximately 88 subjects of both genders will be included in the study.