Left ventricular hypertrophy occurs as a result of problems in the cardiovascular system. It occurs in people of all age groups, mortality does not exceed 4%. From the left ventricle begins a large circle of blood circulation in the body. The disease develops with a constant overload of the heart muscle, as a result of which the walls of this section become denser and thicker.
Concept
As a result of the development of left ventricular hypertrophy, the walls of this part of the heart thicken, compared to the normal state. They become inelastic, and the thickening can be uniform and uneven in the form of separate sections. At the same time, the inner space remains unchanged, the muscle layer grows towards the outer side. There may be a change in the septum between the ventricles.
Because the left ventricle is involved in the systemic circulation, it is large in comparisonwith the right. With increased stress, heart muscle cells begin to grow, and their normal contraction process is replaced by an abnormal one, as a result of which the internal organs receive an insufficient amount of blood.
This pathology is typical for hypertensive patients. It is generally considered not an independent disease, but a symptom of one of the cardiovascular ailments. Its development takes place over a number of years.
Classification
Depending on the place where the wall thickening occurred, left ventricular hypertrophy is divided into several varieties:
- Obstructive cardiomyopathy - there is a protrusion of the enlarged wall of the ventricle into the lumen of the chamber.
- Eccentric hypertrophy - occurs due to congestion of the gastric chamber with blood; its release into the aortic openings is reduced, which leads to overflow of the chambers, the walls are stretched, the total mass of the ventricle increases.
- Concentric left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy occurs due to excessive blood pressure on the chamber. If narrowing of the aortic valve or hypertension is observed, then the myocardium thickens evenly, contributing to the reduction of the cavity of the left ventricle. His muscle layer gradually grows in order to ensure that the entire volume of blood is pushed through.
Reasons
They are divided into two groups:
- physiological;
- pathological.
The former are associated with excessive stress experienced, for example, by athletes, loaders, and other people who are engaged in hard physical labor.
The pathological causes include the following:
- wrong structure of walls, partitions;
- poor outflow of blood from the ventricle;
- comorbidities;
- bad habits;
- hypodynamia;
- obesity.
The main pathologies that provoke the occurrence of left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy are:
- glomerulonephritis;
- myocardial infarction;
- heart failure;
- pulmonary edema;
- atherosclerosis of the aorta;
- aortic valve stenosis;
- hypertension.
In the latter case, the left ventricle is forced to contract with great force to push the blood through.
Influences the development of pathology and the hereditary factor.
Symptoms
Signs of left ventricular hypertrophy may not be felt for a long time. This is due to the fact that at first the walls retain their elasticity, which allows them to pump blood. In some cases, symptoms appear immediately. Others show signs of left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG.
One of the main symptoms of the disease in question is the development of angina pectoris. In this case, there is pain in the region of the heart, shortness of breath, as well as discomfort in the chest. It is compressive in nature and can give under the collarbone, left arm or shoulder. At the beginning, the attacks of pathology last for 5 minutes, but as the walls thicken, their duration increases. Both overeating and excessive physical activity can provoke the occurrence of this disease.
Other symptoms of left ventricular hypertrophy include:
- fainting;
- headaches;
- arrhythmia;
- heart-stopping;
- insomnia;
- high blood pressure;
- general weakness of the body;
- fatigue;
- dizziness.
Why is left ventricular hypertrophy dangerous?
It can cause stroke, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac arrest, leading to death. In addition, heart failure, coronary disease, arrhythmia may appear.
The following people are at risk:
- alcohol abusers;
- smokers;
- overweight people.
Diagnosis
Before deciding how to treat left ventricular hypertrophy, you need to properly diagnose it. To do this, use the following methods:
- calculation of myocardial mass index;
- MRI;
- PET;
- ECG with daily change tracking;
- x-ray showing enlarged heart and aorta by their shadows;
- Ultrasound of the heart before and after exercise;
- Doppler test - the blood flow in the heart is checked with a load;
- echocardiogram;
- blood and urine tests.
Left ventricular hypertrophy on the ECG is manifested by a deviation to the left of the electrical axis of the heart and a high V6, RV5 wave. Most of the symptoms on the electrocardiogram are non-specific. It looks like this at the time of repolarization:
- in the thoracic branch of V6, the T wave is asymmetrical;
- in his lead, the ST segment is below the isoelectric line;
- positive T observed in lead V1;
- in its thoracic branch, the ST-segment is located above the isoelectric line.
In order to make a correct diagnosis, you need to know the signs of the disease in the thoracic branches.
In this pathology, 4 stages are distinguished, which are detected by the electrocardiogram:
- QRS complexes have high amplitudes, ST-segment is not shifted, T-segment is positive.
- The amplitude of the QRS complex increases, the ST segment shifts discordantly, the T wave either decreases or becomes flattened.
- QRS-complexes increase, ST-segment and T-wave are dynamically discordant with respect to them.
- Cardiosclerosis develops, which leads to the appearance on the ECG of a secondary decrease in the amplitude of the QRS complex with a change in repolarization, similar to the previous stage.
Treatment
It must be preceded by the identification and elimination of the cause of this disease.
The following drugs are used as drug therapy:
- hypotensive - Enalapril,Ramipril;
- beta-blockers to reduce myocardial oxygen demand and to relieve pain during angina pectoris - Atenolol, Bisoprolol, Sotalol, Betaxolol and others;
- calcium channel blockers - for rhythm disturbances, angina pectoris, heart attack, Verapamil, Diltiazem are prescribed, for hypertension - Nimotop, Amlodilin;
- ACE inhibitors - Enalapril, Kapoten and others;
- anticoagulants - to prevent blood clots in the ventricle: Verfarin.
Beta-blockers require a constant increase in the dose taken, while heart rate and blood pressure must be monitored.
With its sharp form of severity, diuretics are used: Navidrex, Indal.
How to treat left ventricular hypertrophy if therapeutic methods do not give the desired effect? In this case, surgical intervention is used. During the operation, the wall of the ventricle is brought to a normal state. After symptomatic therapy is carried out.
No need to hope that the disease will pass by itself. Seek medical attention.
Surgery
It can be done in several ways:
- stenting of coronary vessels;
- commissurotomy - with this method, the adhesions located at the mouth of the aorta, which have fused as a result of narrowing, are separated;
- aortic valve transplant or replacement;
- Operation Morrow, in whichremoval of part of the myocardium in the interventricular septum;
- mitral valve replacement.
If all this does not give the expected results, then a pacemaker or a cardioverter-defibrillator is installed, which should help restore normal heart function.
Traditional medicine
How best to treat left ventricular hypertrophy of the heart? Like any disease, it is complex. This makes sense in therapeutic ways. In any case, it is necessary to coordinate with the cardiologist or therapist the use of traditional medicine. The following can be used as them:
parsley stalks in the form of a decoction in red wine - its bunch is added to 1 liter of dry wine with the addition of 3 tbsp. l. wine vinegar, heated over low heat with the addition of 300 ml of honey - 1 tbsp. l. 4 times a day;
- infusion of St. John's wort and honey - prepared from 100 g of grass, poured into 2 liters of water, after which it is boiled for 10 minutes, and after cooling - filtered, the intake is carried out 1/3 cup half an hour before meals, adding 1 tbsp. l. honey;
- garlic - it is crushed and mixed in equal proportions with honey, leaving to infuse for two weeks, periodically shaking the container in which the infusion is located, take 1 tsp. per day throughout the year.
You should also use baked milk for a long time along with strawberry jam, dried apricots, raisins, dried fruits, grated cranberries with sugar.
Prevention
Treatment success and preventiondiseases are largely determined by:
- giving up bad habits;
- moderate physical activity;
- an optimal diet rich in vitamins, fiber, calcium, magnesium, vegetable fats with a minimum of sugars, s alt, fat, muffins.
People who have had such a disease should periodically undergo follow-up observations with a cardiologist.
The following foods should be excluded from the diet of patients:
- containing a significant amount of animal fats;
- sweets;
- baked goods;
- restrict s alt intake.
The following products should be included in large quantities:
- fermented milk products;
- fruits and vegetables;
- seafood.
In closing
Left ventricular hypertrophy should be recognized early. This will avoid consequences that threaten human he alth. People who suspect they have cardiovascular problems should visit a cardiologist periodically for regular check-ups. Only a professional will be able to read the ECG correctly and prescribe an effective treatment, which can be both therapeutic and surgical. Traditional medicine can also be used. St. John's wort with honey is considered the most effective remedy.
