Right ventricle, hypertrophy: causes. Signs of hypertrophy of the right ventricle of the heart on the ECG

The hypertrophy of such an organ as the heart is a phenomenon that occurs quite often. In this case, the muscles, various departments are affected, the blood flow worsens. The most commonly diagnosed changes in the left ventricle. But the right ventricle may be problematic, the hypertrophy of his muscular tissue is often found in children. In normal conditions, the thickness of its walls is 2 or 3 mm. If this value increases, then we can talk about the development of hypertrophy.

Types of hypertrophy

Depending on how the structure of the heart is disturbed, these types of hypertrophy are distinguished: concentric and eccentric. At the first the walls of the heart become thicker, but the volume of the ventricles and atria decreases. The second type is characterized by an expansion of the heart cavities. There is a classification and depending on the causes of the occurrence. With large loads, the left or right ventricle changes, hypertrophy in this case is called working. If it arises from other types of diseases, then in that case they talk about substitutive hypertrophy.

In the normal state, the right ventricle is smaller than the left ventricle. There are three stages of hypertrophy of this part: mild (there are minor deviations), middle (the right part is still smaller than the left one) and heavy (the size of the right ventricle exceeds the parameters of the left one).

Causes

The grounds for the development of this disease can be both congenital and acquired. The causes of right ventricular hypertrophy may be associated with respiratory illnesses (asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis, emphysema, polycystosis). Another factor is congenital heart disease. There are also a number of conditions that are capable of provoking disturbances in the work of the heart. Changed right ventricle, hypertrophy of its tissues - a consequence of obesity, poliomyelitis, problems with the musculoskeletal system. Large physical exertion is also capable of provoking a thickening of the walls of the heart.

Hypertrophy in newborns

Most often, this syndrome occurs in newborns as a consequence of problems with the development and functionality of the heart. This condition develops in the first days of life, when the load on this organ is especially great (especially on its right half). Hypertrophy of the right ventricle of the heart develops also with a defect of the septum, which divides the ventricles. This mixes the blood, it becomes insufficiently saturated with oxygen. The heart, trying to restore normal blood flow, increases the load on the right ventricle. Hypertrophy is also possible because of the tetralogy of Fallot, narrowing of the pulmonary valve. If any symptoms are found that indicate a malfunction of the heart, you should immediately show the child to a specialist.

Main symptoms

In the initial stages, the disease can be asymptomatic. However, the more the organ increases, the more pronounced becomes the manifestation of this pathology. Hypertrophy of the right ventricle of the heart can be accompanied by dizziness, loss of balance, there is a pain in the chest. A person observes a violation of the heart rhythm, it becomes difficult to breathe, as if there is not enough oxygen. Often there is swelling of the legs. Signs of hypertrophy of the right ventricle in children are as follows: the skin acquires a cyanotic shade. Especially it becomes noticeable when crying.

How is the diagnosis

If you find yourself having similar symptoms, the first thing to do is to see a doctor. At a primary examination, a specialist can hear noises in the heart. A special group of risk is those who are associated with heavy loads, has bad habits, as well as athletes. Hereditary factor is also important.

Echocardiography provides reliable information about the condition of the organ. A slight hypertrophy of the right ventricle on the ECG does not introduce any significant changes. Some change in the teeth can only establish the fact of tissue increase, but full information about the thickness of the ventricle gives an ultrasound. This method details the problem areas, their location. With the use of Doppler ultrasound, it is additionally possible to establish the blood flow velocity, its direction. With chest X-ray, you can also see an increase in the heart. However, it is worth remembering that right ventricular hypertrophy on the ECG is noticeable with fairly large changes. Obtaining normal results in this survey can not exclude the presence of changes.

Treatment of hypertrophy

Treatment of this condition is primarily aimed at eliminating the causes of its appearance. At the same time, a person should normalize his weight, get rid of bad habits, introduce moderate physical activity into his routine. If the cause of hypertrophy is the disease of the respiratory system, the therapy is aimed at the removal of inflammatory processes, the treatment of bronchitis. In this case, drugs are prescribed that improve the metabolic processes occurring in the heart muscle. The resulting hypertrophy of the right ventricle of the heart due to malformations implies surgical treatment. Surgical intervention is also shown in the progression of the disease, a significant deterioration in the work of the heart, a violation of the supply of internal organs with oxygen.

The operation can be carried out in two ways. At the first the thorax is cut, the blood circulation stops for a while. At this time defects are eliminated or organ transplant occurs. Intervention of the second type is performed through the artery (femoral) or vein (jugular). The heart at the same time continues to work in the familiar mode, the trauma is minimal. If the disease is detected on time, then it is a good therapy. Regular visits to the doctor, taking medications - these are the activities that can stop the increase in heart tissue.

Danger of this condition

Any violations in the work of the heart have serious consequences, because it is this organ that provides our body with oxygen. The increase in the right department indicates that the load on this site is significantly increasing. Subsequently, the heart can stop coping with a large amount of work. There are abnormalities in the functioning of the heart muscle, arrhythmia. Hypertrophy of the right ventricle can change the structure of the arteries and other vessels. They can become much harder, as a result of this, the blood flow in the small circle is disrupted, the pressure increases, and the permeability, respectively, becomes smaller. It should be noted that an increase in the right part leads to the formation of a so-called pulmonary heart.