What Are the Causes of Left Atrial Enlargement?

The heart is a four chambered pump. The ventricles are the larger chambers and pump blood to the body. The atrium are the two small chambers that are on top on the ventricles and pump blood into the ventricles. Any chamber of the heart can become enlarged.

• heart

Features

• EKG leads

  Sometimes the mitral valve that controls blood flow between the atrium and ventricle does not function well and blood can flow back into the left atrium, increasing pressure and causing it to enlarge.

Symptoms

• Symptoms can include excessive fatigue, leg swelling, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Considerations

• An enlarged atrium can beat irregularly and inefficiently. This is known as atrial fibrillation.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis is usually made by an electrocardiogram, or ECG. An echocardiogram may also be performed, which uses ultra sound to make an image of the heart.

Treatment

• Treatment can be by surveillance or with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as enalapril or lisnopril. In severe cases surgery may be necessary.

Warning

• Consult your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms or concerns.