Are left ventricular hypertrophy and anxiety related?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 27-year-old girl with severe anxiety, especially health anxiety. I had an echocardiogramfor heart palpitations seven years back which was normal. I am worried about left ventricular hypertrophy as I was reading about how it occurs in people who are overweight, and I am overweight. Most of all, I am concerned about how my anxiety affects my blood pressure. At the time of anxiety attacks, which is often, my blood pressure spikes. At home, I do not think it spikes as high as it does when I get nervous before a doctor's appointment. Also, can I suddenly develop LVH a year and a half after a normal echo test? How long does it take to develop?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. LVH is the hypertrophy of left ventricular muscles. It seems like it is muscle hypertrophy as it occurs when muscle works hard biceps hypertrophy after long workouts in the gym. Similarly, LVH occurs when heart muscles have to work hard for a long time e.g. chronic hypertension. Yours is not a case of hypertension, blood pressure more than 140/ 90mmHg is considered hypertensive, you are just having anxiety-induced increase in blood pressure. So just relax, and work on anxiety management. If you want you can have a yearly ECG (electrocardiogram) as a part of your annual health check-up, and echo is not required. Practice relaxation techniques like breath relaxation exercises daily. Remember every problem has a solution, you just need to try solving it and help is just a step away. Feel free to ask if you have any further queries.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Regards.

Are left ventricular hypertrophy and anxiety related?

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