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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Enlargement Of Left Ventricle Mean In EKG?

Does an EKG that shows some enlargement of the left ventricle mean it is definitive, or are further tests required to determine if it is true. The EKG is being compared to last year's EKG which didn't show any enlargement.How serious is this at this stage?
Mon, 31 Aug 2015
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Cardiologist 's  Response
Hello. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I carefully read your query.

EKG can detect enlargement of the left ventricle, but not with specificity. Furthermore, there has to be a cause to the enlargement, such as a heart attack. My opinion is that the EKG showed hypertrophy of the left ventricle (thickening of ventricle walls, which mainly happens due to hypertension). Let this aside, this conclusion can be further evaluated with echocardiogram. So, I would recommend you to proceed with an echocardiogram, where can precisely be seen and evaluated the motility and function of the heart muscle, and the diameter and volume of all heart chambers. Also, valvular apparatus will be evaluated, and a possible valvular cause to this enlargement, if there is one, be sought. There can be also seen if there was a remote or recent heart attack.

I hope this helps. Take care.

Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
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What Does Enlargement Of Left Ventricle Mean In EKG?

Hello. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I carefully read your query. EKG can detect enlargement of the left ventricle, but not with specificity. Furthermore, there has to be a cause to the enlargement, such as a heart attack. My opinion is that the EKG showed hypertrophy of the left ventricle (thickening of ventricle walls, which mainly happens due to hypertension). Let this aside, this conclusion can be further evaluated with echocardiogram. So, I would recommend you to proceed with an echocardiogram, where can precisely be seen and evaluated the motility and function of the heart muscle, and the diameter and volume of all heart chambers. Also, valvular apparatus will be evaluated, and a possible valvular cause to this enlargement, if there is one, be sought. There can be also seen if there was a remote or recent heart attack. I hope this helps. Take care. Kind regards, Dr. Meriton