Related articles: Ventricular hypertrophy
Definition
Ventricular hypertrophy is the increase of one or both cardiac ventricles. Generally, the hypertrophic process affects the muscular tissue of the left ventricle, whose contraction pushes the oxygen-rich blood to the various tissues of the body. Left ventricular hypertrophy is often the consequence of factors, such as arterial hypertension, which require an overwork of the left ventricle; exactly like the other muscles of the body, in response to these stimuli the muscular walls of the ventricle increase in volume, but they lose elasticity and the efficiency of the heart ends up being affected.Most common symptoms and signs *
- Cardiomegaly
- palpitations
- Dyspnoea
- Chest pain
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Fainting
- Dizziness
Further indications
Generally, the disease develops gradually and the symptoms of left ventricular hypertrophy are absent in the early stages.
