We thank Dr Jan and colleagues for their stimulating comments on the “echocardiographic syntax of left ventricular hypertrophy” reported in our review. Indeed, when focusing on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) several issues have to be addressed. First, a systematic echocardiographic approach towards LVH can be based either on left ventricular morphology (i.e., including information on wall thickness, tissue characteristics, cavity dimension etc.) or on the underlying disease that are typically associated with LVH. In our review, we chose the “disease approach” starting with a particular disease entity and subsequently describing the typical disease-related echocardiographic findings. However, in (the rare) cases where the reason for the observed LVH in the echocardiographic laboratory remains unknown, the cardiologist has to describe morphology, dimensions, and myocardial function in order to elucidate the etiology as suggested by Jan et al. Second, multiple and diverse cardiac and systemic diseases can lead to LVH. The text book of Braunwald et al. lists 42 different diseases associated with LVH. Accordingly, a comprehensive work-up of all of these conditions within one review paper is not feasible. We therefore deliberately selected a subset of diseases associated with LVH that constitute frequent diagnostic problems in clinical practice and may benefit from the assessment of regional myocardial function. Third, we agree with Jan and colleagues that it is important to understand that pressure and volume overload and, in addition, infiltrative processes may trigger different types of cellular changes and, thus, different patterns of LVH. Beyond this insight, however, it is important to emphasize that the mere quantification of wall thickness combined with cavity dimensions is insufficient for a thorough diagnostic approach towards LVH. Rather, we strongly believe that besides standard echocardiographic parameters more advanced parameters on regional myocardial function are needed. Especially in diseases with LVH (where ejection fraction is normal in most patients) only echocardiography can detect disease-related functional abnormalities, as no other imaging technique can provide such excellent temporal and spatial resolution for the assessment of regional myocardial function. Finally, we realize and humbly accept that the field of LVH remains very complex. Such multi-faceted and complex issues benefit from a fruitful discussion.