Hypertrophy of the left ventricle: what is it? Causes, Symptoms and Methods of Treatment

Problems with the heart can hardly be considered a rarity. Why there is hypertrophy of the left ventricle, what is it and what symptoms are accompanied? How dangerous is this condition? What methods of treatment do modern doctors use? These questions are of interest to many.

Hypertrophy of the left ventricle: what is it and what are its causes?

Hypertrophy is accompanied by the proliferation of muscle fibers, an increase in the heart chambers, which changes the normal configuration of the heart. Not only adults are inclined to such changes. Often diagnosed left ventricular hypertrophy in children. It is worth noting that in most cases, such changes in the myocardium indicate the presence of dangerous diseases.

Often the cause of hypertrophy is persistent hypertension (a condition accompanied by increased blood pressure). In childhood, the proliferation of tissues of the left part of the heart can be associated with a violation of the cell cycle of cardiomyocytes or some congenital malformations, which is extremely dangerous in any case.

There is also physiological hypertrophy of the left ventricle. What it is? For example, such changes are often diagnosed in professional athletes, as their heart functions literally in the borderline rhythm.

Obesity is also dangerous. With a large amount of excess weight, the heart has to work much more intensively, and hypertrophy is just a method of adaptation.

What are the symptoms of hypertrophy?

Symptoms of the disease depend on the degree of change in the walls of the heart. With moderate hypertrophy, symptoms may not be present at all. But as the volume of the myocardium increases, the patient's health begins to deteriorate. Most patients complain of chest pain. To attributes also carry the raised fatigability, a drowsiness and delicacy. Vertigo and frequent syncope may also indicate progression of hypertrophy.

It is worth noting that this condition is very dangerous. Often, on the background of hypertrophy, left atrial deficiency develops, which is accompanied by severe shortness of breath, which not only appears during physical exertion, but is also present at rest.

How is hypertrophy treated?

Undoubtedly, with the slightest suspicion of such a disease, it is worthwhile to see a doctor. Only a specialist knows why there was hypertrophy of the left ventricle, what it is and how to diagnose the disease correctly.

First of all, it is important to determine the cause of the disease, since it is the key to solving the problem. If the growth of tissues is associated with hypertension, then, of course, patients undergo therapy aimed at normalizing blood pressure. In those cases, if the cause is in obesity, for patients make up a special diet that allows you to gradually lose weight without harming the body.

At the initial stages, sometimes only a healthy lifestyle is enough. A proper diet, appropriate physical activity (for example, therapeutic gymnastics), quitting smoking and other bad habits, staying in the fresh air can stop the processes of hypertrophy.

In more severe cases, special drugs are used that block the proliferation of tissues at the molecular level. In any case, it is worthwhile to understand that even mild hypertrophy of the left ventricle is an alarm bell that can not be ignored.