Yashoda Hospitals > Health Faqs > Enlarged Heart

Enlarged Heart

What Is An Enlarged Heart?

Enlarged heart refers to a medical condition in which the dimensions of a person’s heart are larger than usual. Medically, this condition is known as cardiomegaly.

An enlarged heart may result from a variety of causes, such as hypertension or ischemic heart disease (or atherosclerosis). It can also result from valvular diseases, past heart attacks, thyroid diseases, or genetic predispositions. 

The increased size of the heart may make it difficult for blood to be pumped throughout the body. This can lead to symptoms of weakness, dizziness and fatigue. The person also experiences edema in the feet and legs. Shortness of breath after some physical activity is also a sign. Other signs such as heart palpitations, fainting and chest pain warrant examination for an enlarged heart. Consult our experts at Yashoda Hospitals and get help for any of the symptoms that you might be experiencing.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Enlarged Heart

    The most common causes of an enlarged heart include hypertension and ischemic heart disease. In hypertension, the heart muscles get enlarged to sustain the increased blood pressure in order to maintain efficient pumping. In the case of ischemic heart disease, the arteries get narrowed due to fat deposition leading to increased stress on the heart muscles, which enlarge in return.

    Yes, an enlarged heart can progress to heart failure. Heart failure with symptoms of fatigue, dyspnea and edema is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality over a period of 5-10 years. An enlarged heart can also give way to arrhythmias and cardiac arrest, leading to sudden death. Get a free second opinion from our experts to know more at Yashoda Hospitals.

    People with enlarged hearts may be completely asymptomatic and not experience any problems. Other people can experience fatigue, dizziness, syncope (fainting), edema of feet and legs and exertional dyspnea. The dyspnea worsens with time and paralyzes the person’s ability to talk without catching their breath. If you experience these symptoms, get in touch with our medical experts at Yashoda Hospitals.

    A variety of radiological methods can diagnose an enlarged heart. It can be seen on a chest X-ray. Ultrasound diagnostic methods, MRI and CT scans are also very helpful in diagnosing and examining an enlarged heart. Other tests such as an ECG or stress tests may be performed later to assess the functioning of the heart.

    The treatment of heart enlargement depends on the underlying condition. If the enlargement has been caused by infections, pregnancy or valvular disease, medical procedures can treat it. However, it cannot be treated if the heart enlargement has been caused by chronic diseases like hypertension, atherosclerosis, or cardiomyopathies. It can just be slowed down.

    An enlarged heart can be prevented by making small yet important lifestyle changes. Incorporate exercise and physical activity into your daily schedule. Limit your intake of salt, cholesterol, and highly processed foods and follow a healthy diet plan. Quit smoking and alcohol. Limit the use of caffeine in daily life and practice meditation to reduce stress.

    The type of surgery depends on the condition causing the enlargement. Valve replacement or prosthetic valves are inserted surgically to reverse an enlarged heart due to valvular diseases. Ventricular resection may be done to correct the shape of the heart. Sometimes, heart transplants are performed. Get a second opinion about your surgery from our experts at Yashoda Hospitals.

    Having an enlarged heart can turn into a serious problem with time. Initially, the patient remains asymptomatic and does not experience any problems. Over the years, an enlarged heart can compromise the heart’s ability to function properly, leading to serious health complications such as cardiac arrest, worsening heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and sometimes sudden cardiac death.

    The reversal of the heart enlargement depends on the condition leading to it. If the enlargement has been caused by pregnancy or infections, the heart returns to normal after the resolution of the condition. If the heart enlarges due to chronic diseases such as high BP, it is usually not possible to reverse the enlargement.

    After becoming symptomatic, an enlarged heart usually has a downhill course. It is estimated that about half of the patients with symptomatic heart failure only live for 5-10 years. Diet control and lifestyle improvements can help delay the process. Get a second opinion now from our experts at Yashoda Hospitals.

    Uncommonly, certain drugs hasten the process of heart enlargement. Drugs like chemotherapeutic agents, antifungal medicines, NSAIDs, and diabetes medicines can cause heart enlargement. Caffeine and alcohol also lead to cardiomegaly. Therefore, inform your doctor about any of these drugs that you might be consuming. Contact our medical experts to get better directives about these drugs at Yashoda Hospitals.

    References

    1. Heart disease – enlarged heart – Better Health Channel
    2. Enlarged Heart (Cardiomegaly): Causes, Treatment, and More (healthline.com)
    3. Ventricular resection | Heart and Stroke Foundation
    4. 8 Things to Know About an Enlarged Heart (healthgrades.com)
    5. 5 Medications That Can Cause Heart Failure (webmd.com)
    6. How to Live Longer With Heart Failure | Everyday Health

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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