Left ventricular hypertrophy overview
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Left ventricular hypertrophy Microchapters |
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Differentiating Left ventricular hypertrophy from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Left ventricular hypertrophy On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Left ventricular hypertrophy |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Left ventricular hypertrophy |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Left ventricular hypertrophy |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the thickening of the myocardium (muscle) of the left ventricle of the heart. While ventricular hypertrophy can occur naturally as a reaction to aerobic exercise and strength training, it is most frequently referred to as a pathological reaction to cardiovascular disease.
While LVH itself is not a disease, it is usually a marker for disease involving the heart. Disease processes that can cause LVH include any disease that increases the afterload that the heart has to contract against, and some primary diseases of the muscle of the heart.
Causes of increased afterload that can cause LVH include aortic stenosis, aortic insufficiency, and hypertension. Primary disease of the muscle of the heart that cause LVH are known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathies.