Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Left  Ventricular Hypertrophy

Left ventricular hypertrophy is a condition characterized by hypertrophy  of left ventricle wall which is the main pumping chamber of heart. Left ventricle hypertrophy is triggered by some predisposing factors like hypertension or other conditions that increases the work load on heart.

Symptoms

Onset of symptoms gradually develops and as follows:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Fatigue and weakness
• Chest pain on exertion
• Palpitations ( felling of pounding and fluttering, rapid heart beats)
• Fainting

Causes

This condition usually result from increase work load on the heart which makes the heart to pump stronger. Some factors makes heart work harder and are as follows:

• High blood pressure
• Stenosis or narrowing of aortic valve
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Intense Athletic training

Complications

Some major complications of this condition are:

• Heart failure
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Atrial fibrillation
• Ischemic heart disease
• Stroke

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of this condition depends upon detailed medical history and complete general physical examination of the patient. Other tests for diagnoses include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• MRI
• Echocardiogram

Treatment

Treatment options for left ventricular hypertrophy include:

• Treating the underlying condition which causes increase heart load
• Aortic valve stenosis surgery
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy treatment including surgery or non surgical treatment
• Hypertension control strategy

Lifestyle Changes

• Be active and exercise regularly
• Limit smoking
• Keep blood pressure under control by different medications prescribed by doctor which might be Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), Calcium channel blockers, beta blockers.