Treatment of left ventricular hypertrophy and possible causes of the disease
The enlargement of the walls of the left ventricle is also called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The enlargement of the walls, as a rule, does not happen symmetrically, but is located chaotically, in different parts of the left ventricle - at the site of the septum between the right and left ventricles, at the exit to the aorta, and at the site of the transition from the left atrium to the ventricle.
Thickening of the walls even by 1.5 cm is already called pathology, which can be caused by a variety of reasons - from hypertension to hypertrophy with increased physical activity( often found in athletes).Symptoms of such a condition also differ in their variety and often resemble a picture of coronary heart disease or angina pectoris - patients note increased blood pressure, dizziness, headache and heart pain, fainting, chronic fatigue syndrome, rhythm disturbance.
The most dangerous is the asymptomatic course of the disease, which occurs in about 40% of all cases of hypertrophy, and which can result in sudden cardiac arrest. Moderate left ventricular hypertrophy also occurs without any symptoms, and can be detected by accident, after ECG analysis. Treatment of left ventricular hypertrophy of the heart should be performed without fail, preferably in a hospital under the supervision of a cardiologist, since the mortality from left ventricular hypertrophy exceeds 50% of all cases of death from cardiovascular diseases.
Treatment of left ventricular hypertrophy of the heart
It is generally accepted that left ventricular hypertrophy is not an independent disease, but a symptom of a certain disease, most often the cardiovascular system. Therefore, it is important to establish the cause of this condition before treating hypertrophy, and to take all measures to treat the underlying disease.
For example, one of the causes of left ventricular hypertrophy is congenital heart disease, and in this case it is possible and necessary to perform surgical treatment, after which the doctor will prescribe symptomatic therapy. Very often congenital heart disease in children is the cause for the occurrence of left ventricular hypertrophy in children, and now there are specialized medical centers where heart surgery is performed with success even by the smallest patients.
In addition, treatment should be pathogenetic or aimed at slowing down the processes of hypertrophy. How to treat hypertrophy of the left ventricle without eliminating the causes that will continue to cause hypertrophy processes? For example, one of the causes of hypertrophy may be a sedentary lifestyle, an incorrect and irrational diet or the presence of bad habits, then it is useless to take serious steps without normalizing the way of life. Best for these patients will be engaged in swimming, running, aerobics, using moderate physical activity.
So, for example, when hypertrophies in the diet of patients should be present foods rich in omega, vitamins, calcium, magnesium, coenzyme Q-10, potassium. All these substances strengthen the wall of the myocardium and have a positive effect on the processes of tissue metabolism. The pathogenesis of this condition is the lack of oxygen that enters the blood with blood, so it is necessary to walk( at least 5 km per day) or gradually reduce the increased physical exertion that athletes have.
Drugs for hypertrophy of the left ventricle are always used, and they are aimed primarily at restoring the power of the heart muscle and the rhythm of the cardiac activity. These include antiarrhythmic drugs( Verapamil) and beta-adrenoblockers, which can not be combined with drinking alcohol! Take medications that regulate heart activity, it is necessary throughout life. You can also take antihypertensive drugs and angiotensin inhibitors( substances that destroy the enzymes of angiotensin).These include enalapril, ramipril and other drugs of this group. From bad habits, too, it is desirable to get rid of, since nicotine, for example, reduces the flow of oxygen into the heart muscle.
One of the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of left ventricular hypertrophy can be excess weight( obesity), which simply adds to the burden on the heart, because the patient must move and provide access to oxygen for all tissues, which is responsible for the left ventricle. Patients with excess weight should take less salt, smoked, fatty and fried foods, replacing them with fresh fruits and vegetables, sour-milk products, greens. In the diet of patients with hypertrophy of the left ventricle, there should be no sweet, baking, animal fats.
To feed on patients with hypertrophy of the left ventricle it is better to fractionate, in small portions, drinking enough water per day. It is also necessary to monitor the state of the intestine( evacuation 1 -2 times a day), as the intestine is responsible for the assimilation of all nutrients in the body.
The reason for this condition may be a high sugar content in the blood, it means that it is important to take drugs normalizing sugar, that is, it is necessary to take medications that compensate for the increase in sugar and the destruction of the walls of blood vessels for the treatment of hypertrophy.
If all measures taken do not help stop the process of hypertrophy, then in some cases it is recommended to perform an operation with removal of the area of ​​hypertrophied muscle. Operative treatment is used in those cases where there is a narrowing of the aortic duct. A good effect is provided by surgical treatment for congenital heart defects( in children).
Traditional methods of treatment and prescriptions of traditional medicine in the treatment of left ventricular hypertrophy are practically not used, since they do not give an effect. An exception may be substances that have antioxidant properties, some medicinal plants that have an antihypertensive and calming effect, as well as plants that can strengthen the walls of blood vessels and purify blood( from atherosclerotic plaques).It is also useful to take vitamins, mineral compounds, dietary supplements containing potassium, omega, magnesium, calcium, selenium.