Left ventricular hypertrophy: symptoms, medications, etc. • hello healthy

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Definition

What is left ventricular hypertrophy?

Left ventricular hypertrophy, or commonly abbreviated as LVH is a condition in which the left side of the wall of the heart muscle (ventricle) is thickened or known as hypertrophy .

Left ventricular hypertrophy can occur in response to several conditions, such as high blood pressure or conditions that force the left ventricle to work harder. When the ventricles are overworked, the muscle tissue in the walls of the heart chambers becomes thicker than normal and increases gradually. Enlargement of the heart muscle makes it no longer elastic and will eventually fail to pump with the appropriate pressure.

People with uncontrolled high blood pressure have a very high risk of LVH. Having LVH also puts you at a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, regardless of your blood pressure.

Treating high blood pressure can help relieve symptoms of left ventricular hypertrophy and can restore the condition of the heart muscle walls.

How common is left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)?

This condition is very common and generally affects more women than men. This health problem can also occur in patients of any age. LVH can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of LVH?

The development of LVH is usually gradual. You may not experience any signs or symptoms, especially in the early stages.

As the LVH condition progresses, you can experience:

• Hard to breathe
• Fatigue
• Chest pain, often after exercise
• Sensation of a fast and pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
• Dizziness or fainting

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Feeling chest pain that lasts longer, more than a few minutes
• Has severe difficulty breathing
• Frequent dizziness or loss of consciousness
• Experiencing mild shortness of breath or other symptoms, such as palpitations
• If you have high blood pressure or other conditions that increase your risk of left ventricular hypertrophy, you will need to see a doctor to check your heart. Even if you feel fine, you need to check your blood pressure annually or more frequently if you:
  • Smoke
  • Overweight
  • Have other conditions that increase your risk of high blood pressure

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Each person's body is different, there may be other symptoms that have not been listed. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes left ventricular hypertrophy?

The heart is made up of certain muscles. Like any other muscle, your heart will get bigger if you work hard for a long time. Several health conditions can make the heart work harder than it should.

Several factors cause the heart to work harder, namely:

• High blood pressure (hypertension). This factor is the most common cause of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). When hypertension is diagnosed, there is usually evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy.
• Aortic valve stenosis . This disease is a condition in which the valve tissue (aortic valve) that separates the left ventricle from the large blood vessels leaving the heart (aorta) becomes narrowed. The narrowing of the aortic valve causes the left ventricle to work harder to pump blood.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This condition is a hereditary disease that occurs when the heart muscle thickens abnormally, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood.
• Athletic exercise. Prolonged intense resistance and strength training can cause the heart to adapt to cope with the excess load. It's unclear whether this type of athletic LVH can lead to stiffness of the heart muscle and heart disease.

Risk Factors

What increases my risk for left ventricular hypertrophy?

There are many factors that increase a person's risk of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), namely:

• Age. Left ventricular hypertrophy or LVH is more common in the elderly.
• Weight. Being overweight increases the risk of high blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy.
• Family history. Certain genetic conditions are linked to hypertrophy.
• Diabetes.
• Race. African-Americans are at a higher risk of LVH than white people with similar blood pressure.
• Gender. Women with hypertension are at a higher risk of left ventricular hypertrophy than men who are hypertensive.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is left ventricular hypertrophy diagnosed?

• Medical history, family history and a thorough physical examination including examination of blood pressure and heart function.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). Electrical signals are recorded as they travel to your heart.
• Echocardiogram. Sound waves produce direct images of the heart. An echocardiogram can show thickened muscle tissue in the left ventricle, blood flow through the heart at each beat, and heart abnormalities associated with left ventricular hypertrophy.
• MRI. A more detailed view of the heart can be used to diagnose left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

How is left ventricular hypertrophy treated?

If you have LVH, the treatment you receive will depend on what caused LVH to occur in you. Some of these treatments, namely:

• Control blood pressure. Lifestyle changes and medication assistance can help control blood pressure, although some hypertension medications are known to increase the risk of LVH.
• Resulting LVH athletic hypertrophy does not require maintenance. If you have this condition, you only need to stop exercising for 3-6 months. After that, you will undergo another EKG to measure the thickness of the heart muscle and see if the thickness is reduced.
• HCM is a rare condition that must be treated by a cardiologist. If you have HCM, you may need medical attention or surgery.

If you have LVH, it's important to get proper treatment. Even if the condition has been resolved, you are at risk for heart failure. Following a treatment plan and seeing a doctor as recommended can help reduce risk.

Home Remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat LVH?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with LVH.

• Weight loss. Left ventricular hypertrophy is common in obese people regardless of blood pressure. For that, it is important to maintain your ideal body weight.
• Limit salt in food. Too much salt can increase blood pressure.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol can also increase blood pressure, especially when consumed in large amounts.
• Regular exercise. Ask your doctor if you need to limit certain physical activities, such as lifting weights, that can temporarily raise blood pressure.

Consult with your doctor to get the best solution and a more complete explanation regarding your health condition.