LVH, Aplastic Anemia and Excercise

[Dennis]

My recent EKG had a couple of abnormal features which also had not shown up on previous EKG's.  My blood pressure was 135/90.  My doctor mentioned that the EKG may indicate Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and that it is usually caused by elevated blood pressure.  My blood pressure the year before was about the same.  But all years prior my blood pressures ranged from 100/60 to about 120/80.

I find it hard to believe that this is the cause.

I was diagnosed in 94 with Chronic, Moderate Aplastic Anemia.  And we actually believe that the onset was in 1973 at the age of 14 and went undetected until it worsened in 94.  I have always been physically active and for the past 10 years have been swimming 4 to 5 miles/week. And for the last year have been swimming 6 to 8 miles/week at a higher intensity with a swim club.

My question is: Is it possible that excercising strenuosly over many years with low red cell and hemaglobin counts is the cause of this condition?  I calculate that my blood's oxygen carrying capacity is about 50% of a normal male.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

I wouldn't get too excited.  The changes on an EKG that indicate LVH are very non-specific and could be within normal limits.  If there is a concern aobut this condition the best way to diagnosis it is with an echocardiogram.  I don't think exercising with a low blood count would cause LVH.