LVH develops either when the force or volume of blood within the ventricle becomes excessive.
Common conditions that cause LVH are high blood pressure and aortic stenosis (a heart valve disease).
Since LVH often manifests silently over many years, it’s frequently diagnosed through a routineelectrocardiogram(ECG).
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
What Causes Anatomical Changes in LVH?
The left ventricle is one of the heart’s fourchambers.
It pumps oxygen-rich blood into theaorta, the largest artery in the body that delivers blood to vital organs.
Left-sided heart failuremay then occur, causing the following symptoms:
How Serious Is LVH?
LVH is a concerning finding because it indicates that a person’s heart is working harder than usual.
Depending on the severity of the LVH and its cause, the heart may not be pumping blood efficiently.
Wires attach the pads to a machine, translating the heart’s electrical activity onto paper.
The paper is divided into large and small boxes to calculate time and distance.
The heart’s electrical activity appears like wavy, spiky lines on the paper.
These imaging tests include:
Does Treatment Reverse LVH?
Depending on the cause, LVH can be reduced or reverseda term calledLVH regression.
While medication and/or surgery may be indicated, adopting heart-healthy lifestyle behaviors also plays a key role.
LVH symptoms are usually silent for years until the heart weakens and stops pumping blood efficiently.
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