Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is the most common cause of left ventricular hypertrophy in the United States?

1. Chronic atrial fibrillation

2. Chronic hypertension

3. Mitral valve prolapse

4. Pulmonary hypertension

The correct answer is: Chronic hypertension

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) primarily occurs when the heart muscle thickens in response to increased workload. In the United States, chronic hypertension stands as the primary contributor to this condition. High blood pressure forces the left ventricle to exert more effort to pump blood against the elevated resistance in the vascular system, leading to structural changes in heart muscle tissue over time, culminating in hypertrophy. In cases of chronic hypertension, the heart adapts to the increased pressure demands by enlarging the myocardial cells, resulting in a thicker, more muscular left ventricle. This physiological change is significant because it can lead to various complications, including heart failure, arrhythmias, and an increased risk for cardiovascular events. Other options are less commonly associated with LVH. For example, chronic atrial fibrillation can lead to changes in heart structure, but its primary impact is on the atria rather than directly causing LVH. Mitral valve prolapse might cause some level of hypertrophy, yet it is not the most prevalent cause. Similarly, pulmonary hypertension generally affects the right side of the heart more than the left, which diminishes its relevance as a common cause of left ventricular hypertrophy. Therefore, chronic hypertension is recognized as the leading cause due