LVH and I'm only 22!! :(

[Saylor23]

Hey there, I have come to this community to ask a question of concern dealing with LVH. I am 22 years old, male, found out I have hypertension last year and this year I had a heart echo that showed LVH of 1.5mm thickness they say normal is 1.1? I'm currently eating better as in healthier..I've lost 20lbs down to 214 from 235+ I jog/walk uphill on the tread mill 30-40 mins 6 days a week I stopped weight lifting unless it's light. I'm doin all I can to keep blood pressure lower I'm also taking losartan 100mg/hctz 25mg and another duritec 25 mg at night...blood pressure at home 135/80 Bp at the docs office upon being anxious is 170/90. I'm really concerned about my LVH I don't know much at all about it I hear how dangerous and deadly is is so i came here for some people who may know something about it. No history on my moms side of the family of LVH and I don't know my dad....

[Saylor23]

Do you think my cardiologist would of told me if my LVH was due to a disease other than hypertension? Like can you determine this on a heart echo? He said mine was from hypertension..... I've had a ct scan of my aorta with contrast it came back as normal...does my height have anything to do with the size of the thickening I'm around 6'2 6'3, I've heard in some instances a taller person with have a thicker muscle sometimes on the echo. Mines 1.5 normal is 1.1.....

[tom_h]

Ventricular hypertrophy can occur naturally as a result of exercise.  But it is most likely to be a reaction to a cardiovascular disease, or high blood pressure.

LVH is not a disease in itself, but rather a marker for disease involving the heart. Some things that can cause LVH include any disease that increases the afterload that the heart has to contract against, along with some diseases of the muscle of the heart.  Some causes of increased afterload which can lead to LVH include aortic stenosis, aortic insufficiency and HYPERTENSION.  Also, mitral insufficiency can lead to LVH.

LVH is not permanent in all cases, and can even regress with the reduction of your blood pressure.

[Saylor23]

Thanks for your comment regarding my condition I have tried to talk to my cardio some but he's so busy he only talks briefly, he said we would do what we could to control my Bp when has been very hard. He said I could continue to workout like I was just no heavy weights 25lbs or lighter...but other than that he didn't say much else he's referring me to a hypertension specialist he said maybe they could do more that he couldn't just waiting for a schedule

[MichelleP_3811]

I am so sorry to hear you are having problems.  I really don't know much about LVH but it is possible your Dad's side has a history because you do seem rather young to be having such problems so it almost seems to indicate heredity though I believe if you have been a very intense physical person with extreme workouts that can bring on heart issues as well.  My best advice beyond doing research on your own to know what steps you should take to slow down any progression of the disease is to talk with your doctor about the best game plan.  What should and shouldn't you do.  What is the typical life expectancy if particular steps are taken.  I would assume you can live a very long life if you are heart smart but again I know very little about the disease so have a sit down with your doctor to go over your particular case and what it all means for you.  Best of luck regaining your health and just do your best to take charge of this moving forward.  Take care.