Subject: RE: Left ventricular hypertrophy There can be different causes, both good & bad. I developed left ventricular hypertrophy as a result of a leaky congenital bicuspid aortic valve. I was in the early stages of congestive heart failure when I had the valve replaced with a mechanical valve. That was 15 years ago and the enlargement corrected itself withing 18 months post-op. With my doctor's approval I did my first triathlon 36 months after my surgery. Since then my heart has "re-mapped" itself as the result of all my aerobic triathlon training and I now have an enlarged "athlete's heart" with an associated lower resting heart rate in the high 40's. I undergo annual echo-cardiograms with my cardiologist. My best advice would be to follow the recommendations of your doctor until you know for sure what is going on. Best wishes, Mark |