AEMCA Practice Exam

Which condition can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy?

1. Diastolic overload

2. Valvular stenosis

3. Myocardial ischemia

4. Coronary artery disease

The correct answer is: Diastolic overload

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a condition characterized by an increase in the size and mass of the heart's left ventricle, typically resulting from increased workload or pressure. Diastolic overload is a situation where the left ventricle is subjected to increased volume during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. This overload can occur in conditions where there's an increase in blood volume, such as in chronic hypertension or aortic regurgitation. When the left ventricle has to accommodate more blood during diastole, it responds by thickening its muscular walls to handle the increased volume, which ultimately leads to LVH. While the other conditions listed can also influence heart function, they primarily relate to different mechanisms of cardiac stress or damage. For instance, valvular stenosis can cause pressure overload but is not specifically characterized as diastolic overload, as it primarily impedes blood flow from the heart. Myocardial ischemia typically refers to a lack of blood supply to the heart muscle, which can lead to other complications but does not directly cause diastolic overload. Similarly, coronary artery disease involves narrowed arteries that can reduce blood flow to the heart, impacting overall heart function but not specifically resulting in diastolic overload