What does heart thickening mean, and how is it treated?

Cardiac thickening may be associated with conditions such as hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. During the course of the disease, treatment—including medications or surgery—can be administered based on the underlying cause.

1. Hypertension

Hypertension increases the afterload on the heart. Over time, this can lead to myocardial remodeling and result in cardiac thickening. Patients with this condition should follow medical advice to take antihypertensive medications such as amlodipine besylate tablets or nifedipine tablets, to prevent prolonged exposure to high blood pressure.

2. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a myocardial disease characterized by thickened heart muscle, primarily caused by genetic mutations. Patients should follow their doctor's instructions to use medications such as furosemide tablets or valsartan tablets to help maintain normal cardiac function. In cases of severe outflow tract obstruction, septal myectomy may be performed.

3. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

The main feature of restrictive cardiomyopathy is restricted ventricular filling. Progressive fibrosis of the endocardium and subendocardial myocardium can lead to cardiac thickening and narrowing of the heart chambers. These patients may take diuretics such as furosemide tablets or spironolactone tablets as prescribed to stabilize heart function. Some patients may also require surgical removal of the fibrotic and thickened endocardium.

Cardiac thickening may also be related to prolonged intense physical exercise, mitral valve insufficiency, or other causes. It is recommended to promptly visit a cardiology department at a hospital to complete relevant examinations such as echocardiography and electrocardiography, to identify the specific cause of cardiac thickening and receive appropriate treatment.