Left ventricular hypertrophy
In left ventricular hypertrophy, one of the cells of the heart – the left ventricle is enlarged and thickened.
Left ventricular hypertrophy can be caused by several factors, such as high blood pressure or other heart diseases that require the left ventricle to work harder. As the contractions intensify, the muscle tissue thickens and sometimes the ventricles enlarge An enlarged heart loses its elasticity and over time cannot pump blood around the body with adequate force.
Left ventricular hypertrophy most often develops in people with high blood pressure, however, regardless of the cause of hypertrophy, the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke increases.
Proper control of high blood pressure alleviates symptoms and sometimes makes the hypertrophy process reversible.
Hypertrophy of the left ventricle can be caused by any factor that causes the heart to work harder
These factors are:
- High blood pressure (hypertension) This is the most common cause One-third of patients with high blood pressure have at least mild left ventricular hypertrophy
- Aortic valve stenosis This disease is caused by narrowing of the valve The aortic valve separates the left ventricle and the aorta The narrowing requires an increased contraction of the heart muscle to force blood into the aorta
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy This genetic disease occurs when the heart muscle is abnormally thick, preventing the heart from pumping blood.
- athletic training Intense, long-term exercise leads to changes corresponding to the enhanced physical activity of the heart It is not known whether this type of hypertrophy causes cardiac abnormalities and muscle relaxation
Left ventricular hypertrophy develops gradually You may have no signs or symptoms, especially in the early stages
As hypertrophy progresses, signs and symptoms include:
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- chest pain
- rapid, pounding heart rate, palpitations
- dizziness, lightheadedness
If you have high blood pressure or any other condition that increases your risk of left ventricular hypertrophy, your doctor will monitor your heart through regular visits. Even if you do not complain of symptoms, your blood pressure should be controlled, especially if you:
- are a smoker
- are overweight
- have another disease that increases the risk of hypertension
