Extreme Cardiac Hypertrophy in a Male Cadaver in our Human Anatomy Class - A Case Report

Cardiomegaly is a term referring to enlargement of the heart [1] in general, but it is not a specific cause of enlargement. Different processes contribute to the development of cardiac hypertrophy, some are normal physiologic responses and others develop from a pathologic etiology. Cardiomegaly is a frequent cause of sudden cardiac death in adults [2]. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer for all Americans. However, Hispanics and Latinos have higher risks of cardiovascular diseases due to high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. Among Hispanics, hypertension in particular is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke [3]. In data collected and published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States it was shown that between Hispanic subgroups including Central or South American, Cuban, Mexican, and Puerto Rican, the Puerto Rican adults were more likely to have two or more chronic conditions like hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, failing kidneys and others [4]. Hypertensive heart disease comprises a constellation of abnormalities that include left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and their clinical manifestations including arrhythmias and symptomatic heart failure [5].