Left Ventricular Hypertrophy - A Dangerous Condition Few Are Aware Of

👩‍⚕️This article has been medically reviewed by a cardiologist at the CarePlus International Clinic System

👉 Ventricular hypertrophy, particularly left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), is a persistent threat to the cardiovascular health of individuals with hypertension. This condition can lead to severe complications such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, and even death if not treated promptly.

✅ What is Ventricular Hypertrophy?

🔺Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the most common form of ventricular hypertrophy. LVH refers to the thickening and enlargement of the walls of the left ventricle—the lower chamber on the left side of the heart responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all parts of the body.

🔺LVH is often the result of prolonged, uncontrolled high blood pressure. When the heart has to work harder to overcome the resistance in the arterial walls, the heart muscle thickens, and the size of the ventricular chamber increases due to the expansion of the heart muscle. At this stage, the heart muscle loses its elasticity and cannot pump blood adequately to meet the body’s needs, eventually leading to heart failure.

✅ Symptoms of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Symptoms of LVH may include:

◾Chest heaviness or chest pain, often occurring after physical exertion

◾Shortness of breath

◾Fatigue

◾Palpitations or a racing heartbeat

◾Dizziness or fainting

👉 Among these, chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of LVH.

🔺If a patient experiences any of the following severe symptoms, they should seek immediate medical attention for proper diagnosis and timely treatment:

◾Chest pain lasting longer than 5 minutes

◾Severe shortness of breath

◾Frequent dizziness or fainting

◾Particularly, individuals should have regular health check-ups if they have a habit of smoking, or have hypertension or obesity

◾Chest pain lasting more than 5 minutes is a sign of LVH.

✅ Causes of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

🔺Hypertension is the most common cause of LVH. Other causes may include:

◾Aortic valve stenosis: Narrowing of the aortic valve, which adds extra pressure on the left ventricle to pump blood into the aorta ◾Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A condition where the heart muscle thickens abnormally, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood

✅ Risk Factors

◾Age: Older adults are at higher risk of developing LVH

◾Weight: Being overweight increases the risk of hypertension and LVH

◾Family history: Genetic factors can contribute to the development of LVH

◾Diabetes

◾Gender: Women with hypertension are more likely to develop LVH than men with the same blood pressure levels

✅ Is Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Dangerous?

🔺The thickening of the left ventricle can alter the structure and function of the heart, disrupting the heart’s electrical system, weakening the heart muscle, and impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This can lead to severe complications such as:

◾Heart failure

◾Arrhythmias

◾Ischemic heart disease

◾Reduced blood supply to the heart, causing myocardial infarction

◾Stroke

◾Sudden cardiac arrest and death

👉 Given the serious nature of this condition, it is crucial for everyone to understand and manage the risk factors effectively as the best way to prevent and control this disease.