What causes high pressure in the left ventricle?

Jul 15, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

Every time I have an electrocardiogram (ECG), it says I have left ventricular hypertrophy. I've done it several times already. May I ask, what does left ventricular hypertrophy mean?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xin
Left ventricular high voltage usually refers to an elevation in the QRS complex voltage in certain leads (such as AVL, AVF, V5, etc.) on the electrocardiogram (ECG), which may be caused by various factors. Left ventricular high voltage may originate from the heart's relatively close proximity to the chest wall within the thoracic cavity, thereby producing higher voltage signals during ECG examination. Additionally, a more common cause is significant cardiac enlargement or ventricular wall hypertrophy, as these pathological changes can also manifest as left ventricular high voltage on the ECG. Myocardial hypertrophy is a common cause of elevated left ventricular voltage; when myocardial cells enlarge due to increased contractile force, the left ventricular muscle wall thickens, subsequently causing an increase in voltage. Furthermore, conditions such as myocarditis, ventricular wall hypertrophy, coronary artery disease, hypertensive heart disease, and cardiac valve diseases may also lead to elevated left ventricular voltage. To determine the exact cause of left ventricular high voltage, a cardiac color ultrasound examination is typically required to evaluate the structural and functional status of the heart. Regarding treatment, individualized therapeutic plans should be formulated based on each patient's specific condition, including pharmacological therapy, dietary adjustments, psychological intervention, and prevention of complications.