Many people are told that they have left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), based on an ECG or echocardiogram. Unfortunately, they are not guided on what this means and how to normalize the condition. Read on for more info and how to fix LVH.
The left ventricle is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood into the body’s main artery, the aorta, to supply the rest of the body with oxygen and nutrients. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a condition in which the muscular wall (myocardium) of the left ventricle of the heart becomes thicker than normal.
LVH can lead to diastolic dysfunction, a condition where the heart does not relax well. When the heart does not relax well, it does not fill with blood as it should. This leads to symptoms of shortness of breath.
LVH typically occurs as a response to increased workload or pressure on the heart. There are two primary types of LVH:
- Concentric LVH: In this type, the heart muscle thickens and becomes more compact. It is often associated with conditions that increase the pressure the heart has to work against, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) or aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve).
- Eccentric LVH: In this type, the heart muscle thickens and may also dilate or stretch out. It is usually associated with conditions that increase the volume of blood the heart must pump, such as chronic volume overload or regurgitant valvular diseases.
LVH can be detected through various diagnostic tests, including echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart), electrocardiography (ECG or EKG), and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is important to diagnose and manage LVH because it can be a sign of an underlying heart condition and may increase the risk of various cardiovascular complications, including heart failure, arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), and heart attacks.
The mainstream medical treatment of LVH typically involves addressing the underlying cause, such as managing hypertension (pharma) or treating valve diseases (surgery or catheter-guided replacement).
We certainly agree that there is a time/place for fixing leaky or tight valves.
Natural Approaches to LVH
LVH has a cause or, most likely causes. And the causes are violations of a healthy lifestyle. As you assume the healthy lifestyle, in time, the LVH can reverse.
We see every health condition through the lens of Eat Well, Live Well, Think Well. Test, Don’t Guess. Evidence-based supplements and biohacking strategies. Let’s look at little closer at the strategies that will improve LVH
- Nutrition- more seafood and more organ cuts
- Sleep- get tested and treated for sleep apnea. 8 hours of sleep is the target.
- Sunshine- the more sun exposure, the better our blood pressure.
- Movement
- Chiropractic
- Toxin avoidance
- Dental wellness
- Mental wellness
Testing can help us learn what nutrients are deficient (magnesium, potassium, CoQ10, omegas etc.) and what we are toxic in (metals, mold, plastics etc.)
Supplements to support reversing LVH include magnesium, potassium, CoQ10, beetroot powder and other nitric oxide boosting supplements.
Biohacking strategies such as sauna, red light, and many, many more will also play a role in reversing LVH.
Monitoring Success
One of the safest and most informative tests is the echocardiogram. This ultrasound test measures heart function, heart size, heart pressure, valve function and more.
Typically, after working with Natural Heart Doctor, a repeat echocardiogram is recommended at the 6-12 month mark.
If the thickness of the left ventricle is decreasing and diastolic function is improving, we are moving in the right direction.
Next Steps
Talk with one of our doctors or grab a free health coaching call to learn more about how we can help you stabilize, or even reverse, you left ventricular hypertrophy naturally.
