Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a condition in which the lower-left chamber of the heart (the left ventricle, which is responsible for pumping blood through the aortic artery and out to the body) shows signs of hypertrophy. Hypertrophy means that the chamber is thickened, and its mass has increased. LVH suggests that something is putting an abnormal strain on the muscular left ventricle, forcing it to pump harder than it should. LVH is not a disease. Rather, it is the result of an underlying condition.  

Ultimately, the left ventricle gradually shows signs of hypertrophy as it works harder to keep up with the increased demands. Over time, the left ventricle will need more and more blood to nourish the enlarged muscle and will begin to lose some of its ability to relax between contractions. It may also compress cardiac capillaries, thereby reducing blood flow to the heart muscle itself. Without treatment, left ventricular hypertrophy could lead to heart attack, heart failure, arrhythmias and/or sudden cardiac death.

The role of hypertension is particularly important in LVH. Studies have shown that LVH often occurs early in life among patients with hypertension. In some cases, LVH may even precede the development of hypertension leading researchers to suggest there is a genetic component to LVH that predisposes people to developing hypertension.