Final answer:
Left ventricular hypertrophy is a pathological condition where the left ventricle of the heart becomes abnormally enlarged, leading to a weakened ability to pump blood and potentially causing heart failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Left ventricular hypertrophy refers to the pathological enlargement of the heart's left ventricle. This condition is generally a response to increased resistance in the systemic circuit that the left ventricle must overcome to pump blood throughout the body. Unlike normal muscle development, left ventricular hypertrophy can lead to a thickened heart wall that weakens the heart's pumping ability and may eventually contribute to heart failure, with symptoms including fluid buildup in the lungs and extremities.
The left ventricle is the major chamber responsible for pumping blood into the systemic circuit, and compared to the right ventricle, it has a thicker myocardium to generate the necessary pressure. However, when this thickness exceeds the normal range due to hypertrophy, it can become problematic. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is one such condition where an enlarged heart muscle can occur with no known cause, affecting the heart's efficiency and function.