Is left ventricular hypertrophy hereditary?

Question

Hi doctor,

My mother died four months ago, due to cardiac arrhythmia which was caused by left ventricular hypertrophy. Can I know whether left ventricular hypertrophy is hereditary as I am frightened for me and for my children?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Hypertrophy is a general term that includes multiple individual diseases. Do you have her echocardiogram report or any other medical reports related to her heart? The first possibility in her case is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is hereditary, so all first-degree relatives should be screened for it. Also, was she hypertensive? Hypertension can also cause hypertrophy, and ventricular arrhythmias may have other causes, such as blockages.

Additionally, there are diseases that can cause both hypertrophy and ventricular arrhythmias. Therefore, we need some reports, either an echocardiogram report or an autopsy report, for a definitive diagnosis. If none of these are available, then you will need to undergo screening.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.