Diseases and Conditions
Left ventricular hypertrophy
Overview
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
Complications
Prevention
Diagnosis
Treatment
Lifestyle and home remedies
Preparing for an appointment
Complications
Left ventricular hypertrophy changes the structure and working of the heart. The enlarged left ventricle can:
- Weaken
- Stiffen and lose elasticity, preventing the chamber from filling properly and increasing pressure in the heart
- Compress the chamber's blood vessels (coronary arteries) and restrict its supply of blood
As a result of these changes, complications of left ventricular hypertrophy include:
- Reduced blood supply to the heart
- Inability of the heart to pump enough blood to your body (heart failure)
- Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Irregular, often rapid heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke
- Insufficient supply of oxygen to the heart (ischemic heart disease)
- Stroke
- Sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness (sudden cardiac arrest)