How Severe Can Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Get?
Left ventricular hypertrophy is a condition wherein the muscles found in the central pumping chamber of the heart are thickened. But even if this is the case, left ventricular hypertrophy is not really a disease in itself. What it signifies is a more severe problem present in a patient.
More often than not, this condition arises due to high blood pressure. It may also be because there is simply too much blood that fills the heart’s left ventricle. When either one of these instances happens, the heart becomes overworked. And that would result in eventual heart failure.
People with other heart problems or high blood pressure are more prone to developing left ventricular hypertrophy. And those who are 50 years and above are more at risk than those who are younger. But in general, people who had developed this disease is more likely to acquire some other heart problems like major blood vessel and heart complications.
Symptoms of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Patients of left ventricular hypertrophy will regularly experience shortness of breath associated with the extent of their physical exertion. They may feel that they couldn’t perform certain exercises with ease anymore. Too much fatigue easily sets in after a round of their regular exercise routines.
Chest pains are also rampant. Chest pains are usually felt during the waking hours and after being tired too much. But there are also instances that the chest pains occur while the person is asleep. This is a good indication that the problem is a lot more severe that it already is.
Irregular heartbeats are also observed in patients. This condition is more commonly referred to as palpitations. People suffering from left ventricular hypertrophy are said to be unusually aware of their heart beating. Their heart may either miss a beat or may make an extra beat. Whichever the case, this is a critical problem and a treatment for this symptom has to be addressed.
Dizziness and fainting are also expected. These two usually go together because fainting may happen after an episode of dizziness. But people with heart problems may also feel dizzy without any apparent reason at all. And there are also instances that they faint even without feeling dizzy.
Causes of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
There are two main reasons why people develop left ventricular hypertrophy. First is pressure overload on the heart and second is volume overload. Pressure overload means the heart exerts too much blood pressure. Volume overload, on the other hand, means that too much blood fills the left ventricle.
Hypertension and aortic stenosis are the two main causes why blood pressure may shoot up its maximum levels. Hypertension, as you might already know is high blood pressure while aortic stenosis is a condition wherein the aortic valve of the heart narrows. Both conditions would cause the heart to pump harder thus higher pressure is produced.
Volume overload are mostly caused by aortic valve regurgitation or dilated cardiomyopathy. Aortic valve regurgitation is a condition wherein a certain heart valve fails to close properly. And in the case of dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart muscles are suddenly became weak. Both conditions cause the heart not to function therefore too much blood stays in the heart instead of being pumped out accordingly.
Diagnosis of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
The two main tests performed to detect left ventricular hypertrophy are echocardiogram and electrocardiogram. These are two equally popular tests and certified health professionals do them on the patients. Echocardiogram produces an image of the heart through the use of sound waves and electrocardiogram records the heart’s electrical activities. With the data produced by these tests, cardiologist will have an idea what happens inside the heart and so proper treatment therapy is given.
Treatment of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
To cure left ventricular hypertrophy, the treatment of high blood pressure is usually carried out first, as this is one of the disease’s underlying conditions. Oral medicines are prescribed, and diuretics are the ones given. Some medicines are administered intravenously. For this, patients have to be confined in a hospital.
And if leaking aortic valves cause the problem, surgery has to be conducted to replace them. Doing so will ensure that the blood will flow normally as expected. A surgery to remove a portion of the heart’s thickened muscles may also be performed also to enable the blood to flow more freely.
