It can occur even without high blood pressure.

The thickening makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. This condition is caused by changes in genes that cause the heart muscle to thicken. It's unclear whether the increased heart size in athletes can lead to stiffening of the heart muscle and disease.Ĭertain conditions passed down through families - called genetic conditions - can make the heart thicker. Sometimes this is called athlete's heart or athletic heart syndrome. But the changes can make the heart muscle grow larger. The changes help the heart adapt to the extra physical workload. Intense, long-term strength and endurance training causes changes in the heart. When the valve is narrowed, the heart must work harder to pump blood into the aorta. Narrowing of the valve is called aortic stenosis. The aortic valve is between the lower left heart chamber and the body's main artery, called the aorta. Treating high blood pressure can help reduce left ventricular hypertrophy symptoms and may even reverse it. Long-term high blood pressure strains the left side of the heart, causing it to grow bigger. Also called hypertension, this is the most common cause of left ventricular hypertrophy. Things that can cause the heart to work harder and may possibly lead to left ventricular hypertrophy include: Left ventricular hypertrophy also may be caused by gene changes that affect the heart muscle's structure. Sometimes, the size of the heart chamber itself also increases. As the strain on the left ventricle increases, the muscle tissue in the chamber wall thickens. The lower left chamber is called the left ventricle. If you have high blood pressure or another condition that increases the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy, your provider is likely to recommend regular health checkups to check your heart.Īnything that puts stress on the heart's lower left chamber can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy. If you have mild shortness of breath or other symptoms, such as palpitations, see your health care provider.

You have a sudden, severe headache, difficulty speaking, or weakness on one side of your body.

You have severe lightheadedness or lose consciousness.

You feel chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes.

Fainting or a feeling of lightheadedness.Sensation of rapid, fluttering or pounding heartbeats, called palpitations.Shortness of breath, especially while lying down.But symptoms may occur as the strain on the heart worsens. Left ventricular hypertrophy itself doesn't cause symptoms. Some people do not have symptoms, especially during the early stages of the condition. Left ventricular hypertrophy usually develops gradually.

Pathological hypertrophy