Left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy - what is it? The left ventricle of the heart is necessary for the movement of arterial blood coming from the left atrium. From the ventricle, oxygen-saturated blood is sent to the aorta (through the aortic valve) and then through the blood vessels (arteries) to each individual organ.
With hypertrophy due to the proliferation of muscle interventricular septum, the lumen of the left ventricle of the heart is significantly narrowed. As a result, circulatory and metabolic processes throughout the body are disrupted, since the organs do not receive a sufficient amount of oxygen and the necessary trace elements.
Left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy - what is it?
Myocardial muscle cells perform the function of contraction and relaxation, depending on the phase of the heart (systole or diastole, respectively). Hypertrophy develops as a result of overload of the heart muscle. It can be caused by the entry of a large volume of blood into the ventricle and then the influence of high pressure due to the strong muscle strain.
If this happens regularly, then the muscle cells change their structure - they become thicker and more elongated, this happens in order to provide sufficient contraction force and throw all the blood into the aorta from the ventricle.
Structural changes in the cells affect the thickness of the interventricular septum, it becomes wider, and the mass of the myocardium increases. Enlarged muscle cells need more oxygen, but since the coronary arteries cannot supply more arterial blood, hypoxia develops - oxygen starvation.
Types of Hypertrophy
Depending on the cause of hypertrophy, it can be eccentric or concentric.
The first type develops due to the large amount of blood entering the ventricle, followed by a strong stretching of its walls. This may be due to obesity or insufficiency of heart valves (aortic and mitral).
Two options are possible:
- The walls of the ventricle thicken, and the cavity expands. In this case, the work of the heart is not significantly disturbed, since the volume of blood entering the aorta does not change.
- Preservation of the size of the walls of the ventricle, but the mass of the myocardium increases. This occurs due to the large amount of blood entering the ventricle, it becomes like a filled ball. But, despite this, a much smaller volume of blood is ejected into the aorta.
Hypertrophy is also distinguished:
- With obstruction of the outflow tract - in this case, the muscle walls thicken inside the ventricle and occupy most of its cavity. As a result, subaortic stenosis may develop, blood flow is significantly impaired.
- Without obstruction - it may be in the case of diffuse hypertrophy of a concentric type.
- Asymmetric - a thickening is localized in the area of the muscular septum. With such hypertrophy, both the presence and absence of obstruction are possible.
Depending on the wall thickness increased with hypertrophy, there are three stages:
- up to 21 mm;
- 21-25 mm;
- over 25 mm.
The disease contributes to disruption of the functioning of the heart muscle, the duration of the phases of systole and diastole changes, and insufficient oxygen saturation of the organs is manifested. That is why coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and heart attack are dangerous consequences that left ventricular hypertrophy of the heart can cause. Treatment with folk remedies should not be independent, otherwise taking the wrong medications can aggravate the problem.
The causes of the disease
Thickening of the muscle walls and septum is the result of overstrain. It occurs when a large volume of blood enters the ventricle and the need to push it into the aorta. The pressure on the walls and their tension are above normal. Because of this, hypertrophy of the left ventricle of the heart develops. The reasons may be different. But basically these are certain diseases:
- The most common cause is arterial hypertension. High pressure causes constant antispasmodic manifestations in the vessels and high resistance in them.
- Acquired or congenital heart defects - valve insufficiency, aortic stenosis, narrowing of a specific section of the aorta (coarctation).
- The presence of calcium deposits on the walls of the aorta or heart valves or aortic atherosclerosis.
- Hyperthyroidism (abnormalities in the endocrine system, in particular, excessive thyroid function), diabetes mellitus, adrenal gland diseases.
Great influence is exerted by age and gender, as well as proper nutrition.
Symptoms of the disease
Hypertrophy of the left ventricle of the heart, the symptoms of which do not have a clear clinical picture, may not be felt for several years. But, despite this, there are a number of responses of the body, in the presence of which it is necessary to pay attention to the state of your health:
- high blood pressure, which is poorly corrected even when using medications;
- sudden onset of shortness of breath with habitual exertion;
- weakness, fatigue;
- heart rhythm disturbances;
- increased swelling;
- Dizziness
- pain in the heart.
Often people, having discovered some symptoms of the disease, conduct heart treatment with folk remedies. However, the best solution is to visit a qualified cardiologist who will make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Disease treatment
Since hypertrophy develops due to the progression of various diseases, with its treatment it is necessary to initially eliminate the initial pathology. How to treat left ventricular hypertrophy of the heart, the doctor should explain after the necessary diagnostics.
Do not take medications without medical advice, even if they are aimed at treating your disease. Since, without taking into account the personal characteristics of the body and the tolerability of certain components of the drug, it is only possible to aggravate the course of the disease.
Hypertrophy treatment with lily of the valley
Lily of the valley drops are often used in the practice of eliminating heart disease. Hypertrophy of the left ventricle of the heart is no exception. Treatment with folk remedies in any case must be approved by the attending physician.
The recipe is to prepare a tincture. The flowers of the lily of the valley are placed in a bottle (the bottle is completely filled with flowers), filled with alcohol (to the top) and infused for two weeks. Take a tablespoon before meals (3 times a day).
St. John's wort treatment
St. John's wort grass (100 g), filled with water (2 l) and boiled for ten minutes, after that it needs to be cooled, filtered and a spoonful of honey added. It is necessary to take a third of a glass half an hour before meals.
This method, according to patients, is most effective when hypertrophy of the left ventricle of the heart is detected. Treatment with folk remedies in some cases can have a big impact on the general condition of the patient.
Garlic treatment
Chopped garlic is mixed with honey (in equal proportions in any suitable container) and infused for a week (periodically you need to shake the container). Such a recipe helps well with a diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy. Treatment with folk remedies in this option can be used year-round. You need to take the medicine daily for one teaspoon.
Treatment of heart with folk remedies in many cases has a positive effect on health. But before any intake of drugs and herbs, you must consult a doctor.