cardiomyopathy and left ventricular hypertrophy

Posted By Lee on April 07, 1999 at 18:29:26:







Hi,
Could you please clarify this for me? Are left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiomyopathy the same thing? Or is cardiomyopathy the advanced form of left ventricular hypertrophy?
Also, I've seen different explanations that sort of confuse me.
When it is said that the heart muscle grows to compensate, does this mean the heart is bulking up, or does it mean that the heart is stretched beyond it's capacity and is weak in that area? Or does it mean that the heart muscle is inflamed? Is this also what has been described as dead muscle (by patients)?
If the heart is weak, wouldn't a method or medicine that regenerates muscle tissue be of benefit? If the heart is inflamed, wouldn't anti-inflammatory medicine be of benefit?

I would appreciate your answers.
Thank you