Patient education: Left ventricular hypertrophy (The Basics)

What is left ventricular hypertrophy? — 

Left ventricular hypertrophy, or "LVH," is when the muscle in the left ventricle of the heart gets too thick (figure 1).

LVH is caused by conditions that put too much pressure on the heart. The most common are:

●High blood pressure

●Aortic stenosis – This is when the aortic valve doesn't open fully.

●Aortic or mitral regurgitation – These are when the aortic or mitral valve leaks.

●Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – This is a genetic problem that runs in families and makes 1 or both ventricles in the heart thicker than normal.

What are the symptoms of LVH? — 

The symptoms depend on what is causing the LVH. For example, high blood pressure usually does not cause any symptoms.

But if your LVH is from aortic stenosis, you might have:

●Shortness of breath

●Dizziness or fainting

●Chest discomfort

Will I need tests? — 

Yes. Your doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and do an exam. They will also order tests, such as an:

●Electrocardiogram ("ECG") – This measures the electrical activity in the heart (figure 2).

●Echocardiogram ("echo") – This uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart as it beats. It shows the size of the heart chambers, how well the heart is pumping, and how well the heart valves are working (figure 3).

Some people get an MRI to check for LVH. This is a test that uses a magnet to create pictures of the heart.

If you have LVH, your doctor might repeat these tests over time to see if your condition changes.

How is LVH treated? — 

It depends on what is causing your LVH. For example, if you have high blood pressure, your doctor might prescribe blood pressure medicine. Other treatments might include surgery to replace, repair, or open a valve. You might need to see a heart specialist, called a "cardiologist."

Some people with mild cases do not need any treatment. But if their condition gets worse, they might need treatment in the future. In extreme cases, some people need surgery to replace their heart (called a "heart transplant").

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call your doctor or nurse if:

●You feel tired or weak.

●You feel lightheaded or dizzy, or you faint.

●You have trouble breathing – For some people, this leads them to be less active or need extra pillows to sleep.

●Your heartbeat races (even while resting), skips beats, or beats out of sync.

●You have swelling in your feet, ankles, and legs, or in your belly.

●You have chest pain or discomfort.

More on this topic

Patient education: High blood pressure in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: High blood pressure in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Aortic stenosis (The Basics)
Patient education: Aortic regurgitation in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Mitral regurgitation (The Basics)
Patient education: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: ECG and stress test (The Basics)
Patient education: Echocardiogram (The Basics)

Patient education: High blood pressure in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: High blood pressure in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Mitral regurgitation (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Beyond the Basics)