The term "hypertrophy" refers to an enlargement of an organ resulting from the increase in the size of the cells, but not in their number. Hypertrophy of different heart compartments can occur when these compartments are working against increased load. For example, in patients suffering from unbalanced Hypertension for a prolonged time, the left ventricle of the heart must overcome increased resistance, which requires more effort from the ventricular muscle.

As a result of this chronic burden, the cells of the left ventricle increase in size and this state is called left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

Although hypertrophy is a defense mechanism enabling the heart to respond to greater load, at the end it requires its toll and hypertrophy of the left ventricle is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality.