Enlarged heart

Enlarged heart or cardiomegaly is a medical condition where the heart is larger than its normal size. This can be caused by various factors such as high blood pressure, heart valve disease, and other heart conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of an enlarged heart include:

• High blood pressure: This can cause the heart to enlarge as it has to work harder to pump blood to the body.
• Heart valve disease: This can cause the heart to enlarge as it has to work harder to pump blood through the damaged or narrowed valves.
• Cardiomyopathy: This is a disease of the heart muscle that can cause the heart to enlarge.
• Congenital heart disease: Some people are born with an enlarged heart due to a congenital heart defect.
• Pulmonary hypertension: This is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.

Symptoms

Symptoms of an enlarged heart can vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Some people may not experience any symptoms, while others may experience:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet
• Irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain

Diagnosis

An enlarged heart is often diagnosed through a physical examination and various tests, including:

• Echocardiogram
• Chest X-ray
• MRI
• CT scan
• Electrocardiogram

Treatment

Treatment for an enlarged heart depends on the underlying cause. It may include:

• Medication
• Surgery
• Lifestyle changes

See also

• Heart disease
• Heart failure
• Cardiac arrest

Enlarged heart Resources
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