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How dangerous is mild left ventricular hypertrophy and mild left atrial enlargement? Do people die often from it or does it just cause other problems that lead to death?
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Can people live relatively long lives with LVH?
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Could either of the two cause PVC ?
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Is LVH and MLH considered heart disease in and of itself or not?
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Does it every go away? Or are there documented cases of it “going away” with treatment of a beta blocker?
Well, I will (try to) give generic answers to your questions. This is not medical advice (for that, I charge )
LVH is a potent risk factor for heart attack and, frankly, sudden death. That was shown by the famous Framingham study. Still, it is one of several risk factors and is by no means a “death sentence”. On the contrary, treatment of high blood pressure, in particular, often reverses LVH.
Left atrial enlargement is a risk factor for the eventual development of atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm). Once more, it probably is a reflection of the high pressures from the LV “backing up” into the left atrium.
LVH can definitely reverse. Interestingly, and contrary to one’s intuition, treatment of associated high blood pressure doesn’t always lead to a reversal in LVH. Look here.
Sorry, I can’t write more now - I’m late . . .
What if you have these conditions and have normal blood pressure and always have had normal blood pressure?
BTW, thanks for the answers.
In other words, you have “athelete’s heart” and no other health problems.
Apologies for the lengthy delay.
In truth, I seldom encounter people with “Athlete’s Heart” and know nothing about it. My practice is 100% acute, inpatient medicine - we just don’t see athletes (no kiddin’, eh?).
In any event, I did find what looks to be a nice article summarizing what’s known about Athlete’s Heart and how it compares/contrasts with more typical LVH. Although directed at docs, you may still want to take a peek at it. Let me know if I can try to elucidate anything.
Thanks, KarlGauss