LVH
Also written as: LVH — Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Thickening of the heart's left ventricle wall, common in endurance athletes.
Full Definition
Left ventricular hypertrophy involves the thickening of the muscular wall of the heart's left ventricle, representing an adaptive response to chronic exercise training, particularly in endurance sports. In athletes, LVH is typically physiological and beneficial, improving cardiac output and exercise capacity. However, distinguishing physiological from pathological LVH is crucial in sports cardiology, as pathological forms may predispose to sudden cardiac death. Assessment involves echocardiography, electrocardiography, and clinical evaluation to differentiate between adaptive athlete's heart and concerning hypertrophic conditions that may require activity restriction.
Usage
Usage note: Spell out on first use; distinguish from pathological hypertrophy in athlete contexts.
In Context
- "The echocardiogram revealed mild LVH consistent with the athlete's endurance training background." — cardiology report
- "Distinguishing physiological LVH from pathological hypertrophy requires comprehensive cardiac evaluation." — clinical guidelines