LVH what does this mean for me?

[lettingoffsteam]

After a diagnosis of high blood pressure follow up tests showed I had mild LVH.Everything I have read online has been very disturbing but my GP seems unconcerned and the hospital doctors didn't seem to be either.I would like to hear from others affected by this to get a more realistic view of what I am facing.Thanks.

[lettingoffsteam]

Anyone who can help please?

[helixhelix]

What is LVH?

[lettingoffsteam in reply to helixhelix]

Left ventricular hypertrophy...its a thickening of the left heart wall due to blood pressure...usually very high blood pressure.Mine was 244/133 and the last time I had it measured two years ago it was 130/80.What happened?

[helixhelix in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Oh ok, yes I have that, a thickened heart wall as a result of valve stenosis increasing blood pressure. Doctor wasn’t worried about that aspect of my heart and just encouraged me to take care of myself so it doesn’t get worse too quickly.

And after a lifetime of normal BP mine suddenly shot up. With lifestyle changes I’ve got it down to just above normal - have you tried that?

[lettingoffsteam in reply to helixhelix]

I'm on ramipril and amlodipine and I've totally overhauled my diet.I've lost almost three stone already.I'm afraid this diagnosis has really triggered anxiety and depression in me as it was so out of the blue.I'm 55 and I foolishly thought I'd be OK for a while longer although I see so many younger than me on this site. What's happening with regard to the stenosis?

[helixhelix in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Well that’s a great start! And you have time to turn your life around so keep going. Are you managing to do any exercise? That's really helped me.

Have you talked to your GP about anxiety/depression as talking to someone might really help? Some GPs will refer you for a course of counselling.

As for the stenosis it hasn’t got worse in 2 years so nobody is that concerned. Instead I possibly have problems with arteries, so waiting for an angiogram to check that out.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to helixhelix]

I have applied for CBT therapy and I have been walking.I've also bought an exercise bike.Thing is I get a burning side effect in my chest and arms.At least, I've been checked at A&E and they say it's a side effect.

Gets me really worried though as I had no chest discomfort at all prior to my diagnosis. That's pulling me down too as I rarely get a good night's sleep.

[helixhelix in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Impressive! If you've been checked over then do try not to worry.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to helixhelix]

Well I know I shouldn't worry but I'm a very anxious person.My GP says my anxiety is worse than my blood pressure.I'm interested in how you managed to come off your bp meds I would at least like to take a lower dose as the side effects are terrible for me.Any tips?

[helixhelix in reply to lettingoffsteam]

Just doing what you’re doing. Getting my weight into normal band, daily exercise, good diet with low salt etc. All the things that british heart foundation recommends!

When the hot weather calms down it will be interesting to see if I can stay off the BP meds.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to helixhelix]

Well I've mostly gone on a plant based diet and I have about two more stone to lose.Yes I'd heard that bp is lower in summer.Even if I could reduce my meds it would be an improvement.

[spr123 in reply to lettingoffsteam]

HiI also had mild LVH show up following an Echo scan. The cardiologist and GP were not worried by it at all - certainly not as much as I was when I first found out!

I'm coming up to 39 and last May my BP checked in at 175/125. I am on Amlodpine and Ramipril 10mg on both.

I've also lost weight and changed diet too. In reference to your post, I will probably have another Echo completed at the end of this year to see the status. However, both cardiologist and the GP said that the thickening was due to the higher blood pressure and not to worry now as the medication will bring the BP down.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to spr123]

That's encouraging. I guess I've learnt to live with it now but googling lvh was very alarming indeed. My bp is now pretty low and I managed to halve my medication so I'm on 2.5mg ramipril and 5mg amlodipine. I'm glad you're doing well.

[seasider18 in reply to spr123]

Do you not check your BP at home ?For some of us it goes sky high in a medical enviroment.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to seasider18]

Yes I do check it at home and yes it does rise dramatically in a medical setting. I also had a 24 hour monitor so I'm carefully checked.

[seasider18 in reply to lettingoffsteam]

I don't sleep well at the best of time and the 24 hour monitor wakens me the first time it goes off and I'm unsettled all night after that.During the day it tends to go off at awkward times.