All About Cardiomegaly
Having a larger-than-usual heart is medically referred to as cardiomegaly. The chambers might dilate, or the muscle can thicken from overuse to cause an enlarged heart. There is no medical condition known as an enlarged heart.
Types
If the heart muscle is damaged, the heart will expand. An enlarged heart may still pump blood properly up to a certain size. Unfortunately, the heart’s pumping power deteriorates as the disease worsens. The most common cause of cardiac enlargement is dilated cardiomyopathy. When this happens, the lateral walls (ventricles) become flimsy and strained. This opens up your emotional capacity. The left ventricle thickens considerably in thickness and muscle mass in the other forms.
There is some evidence that high blood pressure might lead to left ventricular enlargement (a type known as hypertrophy). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the medical term for the thickening, may also be inherited. When a heart is “thick” rather than “thin,” its pumping capacity remains relatively unaffected by size. Find the best heart hospital.
What Consequences Can A Bloated Heart Have On Your Health?
According to our source, a bloated heart is a common symptom of a life-threatening cardiac ailment. Your health and maybe your life is at stake until the underlying reason is treated.
Many individuals with an enlarged heart have no symptoms at all, so they may be completely unaware that they have a problem. Sometimes a doctor may schedule imaging tests to obtain a better look at the heart before telling a patient they have an enlarged heart.
You will feel the effects even if you are unaware that you have an enlarged heart. The term “enlarged heart” refers to a condition in which a patient’s heart, or a portion of the heart, has become thicker or stretched out. Because of this, the heart has to work harder to transport blood throughout the body.
Normal day-to-day activities may become more challenging therefore. We can’t predict the whole range of possible side effects, although weariness and shortness of breath are possible. If your heart isn’t pumping blood efficiently, blood might pool in your extremities, belly, or face, causing edema (swelling). Other physical impacts are also possible. Cardiomegaly increases the risk of blood clots forming in the heart’s inner lining.
Causes Of Cardiomegaly
So what are the cardiomegaly causes? Overuse or injury to the heart may lead to mild cardiomegaly, as can amyloidosis of the heart valves.
- Anaemia
- Arrhythmia
- cardiomyopathy is a genetic heart disorder characterized by muscular weakness in the heart
- Diabetes
- Infection of the heart valves
Some instances of transient cardiomegaly may need medical attention, and possible reasons include the following:
- Substance abuse and excessive drinking: Mild cardiomegaly is one of the potential side effects of substance misuse. The disorder may be reversed with treatment.
- Acute stress-induced cardiomyopathy is a heart condition that may be brought on by prolonged or severe stress. Seventy-five percent or more of those suffering from it have also experienced some stressful event.
- There is a possibility that the heart may enlarge during pregnancy, usually close to the time of birth. Potential names for this condition include peripartum cardiomyopathy and cardiomegaly.
- Heart virus infection: Antiviral drugs may be needed to treat heart virus infection-induced cardiomegaly.
Diagnosis
Initially, your doctor will physically examine and consult you about your current problems. You may evaluate your heart’s anatomy and function using a battery of diagnostic tools. A chest X-ray may reveal whether or not your heart has enlarged. Therefore, it may be the first test your doctor requests.
For your doctor to determine what is causing the growth, they may order one or more of the following tests:
- An issue with the heart’s chambers may be detected with an echocardiogram (echo).
- You may monitor your heart’s electrical activity using an electrocardiogram (sometimes called an EKG or ECG). Ischemia or abnormal cardiac rhythm may be identified.
- Conditions that induce an enlarged heart, such as thyroid illness, may be detected in the blood.
- Stress tests often entail exercising on a treadmill or stationary bike while your heart rate and respiration are closely monitored. It may be used to monitor the cardiovascular load during exercise.
- X-rays are used in CT scans to provide clear pictures of your heart and other chest tissues. It aids in the detection of valve disease and inflammation.
Cardiomegaly’s underlying causes might weaken the heart’s muscles. Ignoring them might cause more problems, such as:
It is heart failure. Excessive growth of the left ventricle is a known cause of congestive heart failure. When this happens, the heart can’t provide the body with enough oxygen-rich blood.
The blood clots. Blood clots form when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively. A stroke may be brought on by a blood clot that breaks off and travels to the brain but becomes lodged in one of the brain’s arteries.
How Can We Prevent It
Talking to a doctor about cardiomegaly, especially if symptoms are present or there is a family history of heart disease, may help lower the likelihood of developing the illness.
Taking care of cardiomegaly-related health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, and OSA (obstructive sleep apnea).
Conclusion
Unfortunately, many cases of cardiomegaly are irreversible, requiring lifelong treatment. Some manifestations are transient and may be remedied by removing the underlying cause, such as when reduced stress or substance misuse is treated. Because of this, it is crucial to see a medical professional at the first indication of cardiomegaly.