Friday, August 22, 2008

I just got a call about the echogram. They said I have left ventricular hypertrophy. I looked this up on the mayo clin. website and see the following.

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Definition
Left ventricular hypertrophy is enlargement (hypertrophy) of the muscle tissue that makes up the wall of your heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricle).

Left ventricular hypertrophy develops in response to some factor, such as high blood pressure, that requires the left ventricle to work harder. As the workload increases, the walls of the chamber grow thicker, lose elasticity and eventually may fail to pump with as much force as a healthy heart.

If you have left ventricular hypertrophy, you're at increased risk of heart disease, including heart attack, heart failure, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia) and sudden cardiac arrest.

The incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) increases with age and is more common in people who have high blood pressure or other heart problems.

13 Comments:

At 12:47 PM, Blogger Mar said...

Alan..:(

Hopefully you'll get more information from your doctor. When will you see him/her again? Will they be referring you to a specialist??

I'll be thinking of you.

 
At 1:14 PM, Blogger Zoomy said...

Oh, Alan...that is so scary! Do you know if there is any sort of treatment for that? I am so glad that you followed-up on your symptoms with your doc.

 
At 3:46 PM, Blogger Alan said...

Marion/Kirsten-
That was the specialist that ordered the tests. I really didn't know what all to ask when they called becuase I had never heard of it so I am researching it and coming up with questions and what to do.

 
At 10:12 AM, Blogger Mar said...

Just checking in on ya. I'm sure you don't know much more yet but I wanted you to know I'm thinking about you and hope you're well.

 
At 8:27 AM, Blogger Alan said...

No- don't know much more. I have been doing some reading and getting questions together. I have a couple of doc friends I am going to ask about it also and see what their take is.

thanks for checking!

 
At 5:53 PM, Blogger skousend said...

Wow Alan, That's got to be a lot to absorb! I hope your search for the right information and understanding goes well for you. Take care.

 
At 1:38 PM, Blogger 1L said...

Alan - Scary stuff - hope it is all ok, and you are doing the right thing. Give "7" a call or email or PM, I am sure that he will be able to answer your basic questions and set you in the right direction. I think running is still good for you though ;)

I'll be thinking of you.

 
At 2:21 PM, Blogger Jaye, Runner. said...

Hi Alan,
Don't forget that enlargement of the left ventricle is also sometimes called "Athlete's Heart" because it can result from the cardiovascular demands of running and other sports. In those type of cases the hyptertrophy is thought to be completely benign. Be sure that your Doctor considers that in his/her analysis too! It might be responsible for some part of your diagnosis.
And either way, didn't we always know you had a "big heart"? (smile)

 
At 8:10 PM, Blogger Rick said...

I'm with l. jaye hopkins, runner on his last comment. ;)

Considering your fitness level over the years, I am hopeful this will be a benign diagnosis for you, Alan. I will be praying for you regardless brother.

My first thought was the blessing of you taking these symptoms seriously and going to the doctor about them given the recent passing of your boss.

Please keep us posted.

 
At 3:50 PM, Blogger Rick said...

So, how are things going, Alan?

 
At 3:11 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Alan, checking in and saw this post -- how are you doing? Very wise of you to get checked out.

 
At 1:16 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gosh Alan, I disappear for awhile and then read this. :et's hope for the best of diagnosis and keep doing what you are doing. Will say and extra prayer for good outcome on this.

Stihl

 
At 7:43 PM, Blogger babs said...

Wow!!!
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Please give us an update.
Take Care!
Babs
Georgia
Logan's, TS's and Lucy's Grandma

 

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