How can an EKG determine the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy?

To determine the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) using an EKG, measuring QRS amplitude and axis deviation is essential. In LVH, the left ventricle becomes enlarged due to increased workload—often from hypertension or other cardiac conditions. This enlargement is reflected in the EKG by an increase in the amplitude of the QRS complexes, particularly in the left-sided leads (I, aVL, V5, and V6).

Additionally, axis deviation may occur, which means the overall direction of the heart’s electrical activity is altered due to the enlarged muscle mass. When analyzing the QRS complexes, higher than normal voltages can indicate hypertrophy, leading to specific diagnostic criteria like the Sokolow-Lyon criteria, which quantify the amplitude differences between certain leads.

In contrast, assessing the rate of P waves, observing heart rate variability, and analyzing T wave morphology do not directly indicate LVH. P waves are more related to atrial activity and conditions like atrial enlargement, while heart rate variability pertains to autonomic nervous system function. T wave morphology primarily reflects repolarization and can indicate ischemia or other conditions but is not a direct marker for LVH. Therefore, measuring QRS amplitude and observing any axis