Risk factors

In addition to hypertension and aortic valve stenosis, factors that increase your risk of left ventricular hypertrophy include:

• Age. Left ventricular hypertrophy is more common in older people.
• Weight. Being overweight increases your risk of high blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy.
• Family history. Certain genetic conditions are associated with developing left ventricular hypertrophy.
• Diabetes. The risk of left ventricular hypertrophy is higher in people with diabetes.
• Race. African Americans may have a higher risk of left ventricular hypertrophy than white people with similar blood pressure measurements.
• Sex. Women with hypertension are at higher risk of left ventricular hypertrophy than are men with similar blood pressure measurements.