Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and heart failure are related but distinct conditions. LVH refers to the thickening of the walls of the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber. This thickening can be a response to various conditions that place extra stress on the heart, such as high blood pressure (hypertension). Over time, LVH can lead to a decrease in the heart's ability to pump effectively, which may contribute to the development of heart failure.
Heart failure, on the other hand, is a clinical syndrome where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including LVH, but also other conditions that damage the heart muscle or disrupt its normal function.
While LVH is a risk factor for heart failure, not everyone with LVH will develop heart failure. Additionally, heart failure can occur without LVH being present. Therefore, it's important to understand that LVH is a condition that can increase the risk of heart failure, but it is not the same as having heart failure.
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