Myocardial hypertrophy refers to the thickening of the heart muscle, particularly the myocardium, which is the middle layer of the heart wall responsible for contraction. This adaptation occurs in response to increased workload on the heart, often seen in athletes who engage in rigorous exercise, leading to an enhanced ability to pump blood efficiently. While it can be a normal physiological response to training, pathological hypertrophy can develop in conditions such as hypertension or heart disease, which may lead to adverse health effects.
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