PLEASE HELP

  MY 14YR OLD SON HAS LVH. I READ WERE THE DOCTOR SAID THERE WAS 3 CAUSES. I THINK HIS IS CONGENITAL. HE NEVER HAD HIGH BLOOD AND DOESN'T DO MUCH EXERICISE EXCEPT FOR BASEBALL LAST YEAR AND PE AT SCHOOL. HE WANTS TO PLAY SPORTS BUT I'M AFFRAID. WE ARE STILL GOING TO DOCTORS TO FIND OUT THE EXTENT OF HIS ILLNESS. HE HAS HAD ECHOS AND EKG'S DONE AND NOW THEY WANT A CHEST XRAY. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS AND THE THINGS THAT COULD HAPPEN.
  THANK YOU
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Dear Mary
High blood pressure can cause LVH. Competitive athletes can develop some degree of LVH. Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) can cause LVH. HOCM is potentially serious and is a common cause of athletes dying suddenly during sporting events. Your son should be evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist at a major medical center. A good echocardiogram will usually settle the issue. I would suggest this sort of evaluation before allowing him to engage in competitive sports.
I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back. I wish you the best of luck.
If you would like to set up an appointment with one of our cardiologists here at the Cleveland Clinic please feel free to call 1-800-CCF-CARE.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your physician(s).