Last updated on January 10, 2022
Content By: Dr. Nikita Toshi BDS, Assistant Manager (Medical Review), Dr. Ritu Budania MBBS, MD (Pharmacology) Head, Medical Affairs
Last updated on January 10, 2022
The human heart is a hollow organ that is about the size of a closed fist. It consists of four chambers. The upper chambers are called the right and left atria and the lower chambers are called the right and left ventricles. The chambers are separated by a muscular wall called the septum. The heart pumps blood to help it circulate to each and every part of your body. But, sometimes individuals develop different types of heart diseases that are severe and can affect the heart significantly. One such condition is left ventricular hypertrophy or LVH.
LVH is defined as the enlargement and thickening of the left ventricle of the heart, which is the lower chamber of the heart on the left side. The thickening causes the heart muscles to lose their elasticity and becomes rigid. This makes it difficult for the left ventricle to contract and expand efficiently to pump the blood out of the heart. This condition can cause mortal danger to an individual’s life if left untreated.
Left ventricular hypertrophy is a serious condition and one should consult the matter with a doctor to receive proper treatment for it. Read on to learn more about the signs, symptoms and causes of LVH and the associated risks associated with the condition.
The human heart is a hollow organ that is about the size of a closed fist. It consists of four chambers. The upper chambers are called the right and left atria and the lower chambers are called the right and left ventricles. The chambers are separated by a muscular wall called the septum. The heart pumps blood to help it circulate to each and every part of your body. But, sometimes individuals develop different types of heart diseases that are severe and can affect the heart significantly. One such condition is left ventricular hypertrophy or LVH.
LVH is defined as the enlargement and thickening of the left ventricle of the heart, which is the lower chamber of the heart on the left side. The thickening causes the heart muscles to lose their elasticity and becomes rigid. This makes it difficult for the left ventricle to contract and expand efficiently to pump the blood out of the heart. This condition can cause mortal danger to an individual’s life if left untreated.
Left ventricular hypertrophy is a serious condition and one should consult the matter with a doctor to receive proper treatment for it. Read on to learn more about the signs, symptoms and causes of LVH and the associated risks associated with the condition.
Written by
BDS, Assistant Manager (Medical Review)
Reviewed by
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology) Head, Medical Affairs
Left ventricular hypertrophy is caused when the left ventricle, which is the main pumping chamber of the heart, becomes enlarged and thick. This type of condition can take place when the left ventricle has to work and pump harder than usual. This part of the heart must be strong enough to pump out oxygen-rich blood to the remaining parts of an individual’s body.
Due to the enlarged left ventricle, the muscles of your heart will lose all their elasticity, which results in increased pressure to make the heart fill the pumping chamber so that it can send blood to the rest of the body. Individuals who develop LVH might experience irregular heart rhythms and congestive heart failures.
When the LVH is caused due to high blood pressure, the severity of this condition can be reduced by controlling the high blood pressure.
An enlarged left ventricle is noticed for the first time by abnormal readings on an EKG or Electrocardiogram. If the doctor finds the indications of an enlarged left ventricle on EKG, you will have an Echocardiogram to determine whether or not you have that condition.
The Echocardiogram is a common way to determine if a patient has LVH and the test will also enable the doctor to assess the thickness of the walls of the ventricle. If the thickness appears more than normal, it is considered hypertrophied or enlarged.
If you do not have LVH but have a family history of HOCM or Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy, the doctor will determine whether you have HOCM.
The life expectancy of people depends on which stage the LVH has progressed to and the overall health and well being of the patient. In general, about 50% of the individuals who suffer from LVH live beyond 5 years after getting diagnosed. But patients will live a longer life if they opt for proper treatment recommended by the doctor for LVH during the early stages.
Individuals suffering from this condition who want to improve their standard of living can do the following:
Avoid consuming food products that are rich in saturated fats and cholesterol.
Try to maintain a regular workout regime and physical activity as advised by your doctor.
Quit alcohol and smoking
Restrict the consumption of excess salt and sugars.
Keep your body weight in check all the time.
Take your medications timely and follow up with your doctor regularly.
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LVH develops gradually. During the early stages of this condition, you will not encounter any signs. But when the condition progresses, individuals will experience these symptoms:
Tiredness – People who suffer from LVH will surely feel a lot more tired than they normally do.
Excessive chest pain – LVH can lead to massive chest pain, especially after doing some workout.
Shortness of breath – You will experience shortness of breath after doing some mild activities. Sometimes you might wake at night experiencing shortness of breath.
Dizziness – LVH can cause individuals to feel as if they are about to faint or dizzy frequently.
Palpitation – People will feel the sensation of fluttering, pounding or rapid heartbeat suddenly.
When you start experiencing the LVH symptoms first, you must get in touch with a doctor. You must tell the doctor about the type of symptoms you are experiencing and they will suggest suitable treatment accordingly. Sometimes, these symptoms are also caused by a different condition like Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM).
For such reasons, the doctor conducts a few tests to determine the type of condition you are suffering from. If you carry LVH, the doctor will provide you with effective treatment solutions to alleviate the LVH symptoms and help you live a normal life. You have to complete the entire course of the treatment if you want to get rid of the LVH symptoms once and for all.
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There are certain factors that increase your risk of developing LVH such as the ones mentioned below:
Age – This particular heart condition is common among older people.
Bodyweight – Individuals who are overweight have a high chance of developing LVH and high blood pressure.
Uncontrolled hypertension – Uncontrolled hypertension that’s not properly treated can give birth to LVH.
Uncontrolled diabetes – Left ventricular hypertrophy is a lot more common in individuals who have diabetes.
Race – African Americans have a much higher chance of developing LVH than white people with similar heart measurements.
Gender – Women who suffer from hypertension have a higher chance of developing this condition than men with the same heart measurements.
Excessive strength training and sudden increase in exercise – Individuals who opt for excessive strength training or increase the intensity of their workout might develop LVH.
When it comes to LVH causes, you will come across several of them – one major cause is the increase in the size of the heart and the other one is an abnormality around the muscle cells of the heart. Here are some of the LVH causes that can increase your chances of having LVH.
Hypertension or high blood pressure – High Blood Pressure or Hypertension is one of the most common causes that can lead to LVH. Over one-third of the individuals have shown evidence of left ventricle wall thickness during the time of their diagnosis with hypertension.
Problems in heart valves like:
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Diagnosis for LVH will be made by your doctor based on physical examination, medical history and some tests. Here are a few of the tests that can prove instrumental in the diagnosis of the condition:
Electrocardiogram – This is the first test that will determine the presence of LVH. The electrical signal is sent right through the heart to detect the pattern. Any aberration from the regular pattern is a sign of an underlying issue in the heart.
Echocardiogram – When the doctor has a purpose to suspect LVH, the second step they will suggest to you is Echocardiogram or left ventricular hypertrophy ECG. This is a technique that produces live images of the heart and reveals its structure through the sound waves.
MRI – MRI is a technique of heart imaging, which helps in the diagnosis of LVH. The test helps in diagnosing a number of abnormalities related to the heart.
When preparing for the LVH test, you need to speak with your doctor or a cardiologist. The doctor will first educate you about the test you should take and you will get the chance to learn about its procedure and how much time it may take.
If the tests show that you have LVH, the doctor will draft a left ventricular hypertrophy treatment plan which you must strictly adhere to. You have to provide your past medical records to the doctor and tell him/her about the type of symptoms you are experiencing.
Early diagnosis can pave the way for a better treatment plan.
If you think you’re experiencing symptoms, book a diagnostic test now!
LVH treatment depends on the underlying cause. Treatment options for LVH include some medications, diet and lifestyle changes and in some cases surgery. Some medications can help prevent the further enlargement of the left ventricle such as:
ACE inhibitors – By widening blood vessels, these medications lower blood pressure, improve blood flow and reduce the heart’s workload. A small percentage of people may experience an irritating dry cough as a side effect.
Calcium channel blockers – Blood pressure is reduced as the muscle in the wall of the vessel relaxes, reducing the load at the heart.
Diuretics – Diuretics increase the urine output and reduce how much fluid your blood vessels hold, lowering your blood pressure.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) – These medicines are also helpful for high blood pressure patients but do not cause a persistent cough.
Along with prescribed medications, your doctor will advise you on some home and lifestyle remedies that can help you manage LVH better and improve your quality of life. They are:
Balanced Diet – Eating healthy food products like vegetables and fruits instead of saturated fats is recommended for patients diagnosed with LVH. You can create a healthy balanced diet and include all the products that will improve your heart’s health and lessen the presence of LVH.
Less Salt Intake – Try to consume food products that contain less salt as too much salt increases blood pressure levels.
Quit Smoking and Alcohol – Reduce or completely stop drinking alcoholic beverages to increase blood pressure levels. You can drink them in moderation rather than in large amounts. As far as smoking is concerned, you should completely quit it. Doing so will improve all your overall health and also lessen the chances of a heart attack.
Extensive Care – When it comes to extensive care for LVH, you should conduct 150 minutes of physical activities every week. For instance, try to walk briskly every 30 minutes and look for useful ways to manage your stress levels. Physical activity should be based on the doctor’s advice as it may vary from person to person depending upon the health of the heart.
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LVH can affect the functioning of the heart. It can:
These changes lead to various complications, such as:
Reduced blood supply to the heart.
Unexpected and sudden loss of heart function, consciousness (sudden heart failure) and breathing.
Irregular heart beat or Arrhythmia
Ischemic heart disease (insufficient oxygen supply to the heart).
The heart fails to pump enough blood to the body (heart failure).
An irregular or rapid heartbeat increases the chances of a stroke.
Stroke
If you are diagnosed with LVH, there are some things that you should monitor to live normally and avoid unwanted complications.
There are many devices available for monitoring hypertension. Make sure to ask your doctor how to check blood pressure at home. Apart from that, here are a few ways by which you can avoid complications of LVH:
Keep your blood pressure in check
Maintain blood sugar levels
Follow a healthy diet and lifestyle
Take all your medicines on time
Do not miss your follow up appointments with your doctor.
Do not ignore any symptoms like - pain in the chest, irregular heartbeat, weakness, dizziness, etc.
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The best way to prevent LVH from occurring is by maintaining healthy blood pressure. How does one achieve that? Here are some of the ways:
Monitoring your BP is one of the best ways to prevent this heart condition from occurring. Use a blood pressure measuring device and check and record your blood pressure frequently.
You must maintain a healthy weight. Not maintaining your weight properly can lead to high blood pressure.
Physical activities can help prevent risk factors for LVH to a significant extent. Try to engage in 30 minutes of physical activities (walking, yoga, exercise, swimming, jogging, dancing) every week.
You must follow the medication routine prescribed by your doctor or the cardiologist if you are diagnosed with a heart condition. Don’t change the medicine dosage without consulting the doctor.
Heart conditions can occur in many forms and LVH is one of them. This type of condition may develop because of uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), enlargement of the aorta, high blood pressure and heart valve issues, such as regurgitation and stenosis. You will also experience symptoms, such as fainting or dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain.
Individuals who suffer from this condition must contact a cardiologist to receive proper treatment. Doing so will help them manage the condition and reduce the symptoms to a great extent. This will also help improve their overall health and enable them to live a normal and peaceful life.
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LVH can be treated by targeting the underlying problems of the heart. It also depends on the type of problem that has occurred. The treatment measures include healthy lifestyle changes that will benefit the heart and medications that will help manage the condition better.
Yes, LVH can lead to fatal heart failure if you do not treat the causes of this condition during the early stages.
The recovery time of this particular condition will depend on the type of treatment or medication you are taking. It will be a good idea to consult the matter with your doctor. They will be able to tell how much time it can take for you to recover from LVH.
Your cardiologist or doctor will recommend you to engage in 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. As for the diet, you need to eat vegetables and fruits in larger quantities and avoid food products that contain saturated fats. You must also reduce the consumption of food high in sodium. Also, include high fibre food products in your diet when you are suffering from LVH. It is advised to get a diet plan customised from a registered dietitian depending on your food choices and health conditions.
Neglecting the LVH symptoms during the early stages can lead to several other problems that can increase the chances of risks such as heart failure, strokes and various other problems. That is why you must immediately consult with the doctor if you experience symptoms like rapid or irregular heartbeats, fatigue, dizziness, chest pain during workout or exercise sessions.
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