Signs of Cardiomegaly

Cardiomegaly is a sign of an underlying disorder--not a disease in itself--and is the condition where the heart has enlarged to the point that it is 50 percent larger than the diameter of the surrounding rib cage. The walls of the heart chambers thicken, reducing the actual space of the chambers--meaning the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body. Knowing the signs of cardiomegaly is especially important if you have a family history of heart problems.

Causes

• Cardiomegaly is the result of an increased workload on a heart damaged by certain conditions and pathologies, such as severe anemia or excessive iron in the blood, or thyroid disorders. Pregnancy and intense exercise can cause a temporary enlargement of the heart. Other causes of cardiomegaly are heart valve issues, high fever, drug use and inflammation of the heart.

Other Risk Factors

• Often, underlying risk factors make one more susceptible to an enlargement of the heart. If your family has a history of cardiomegaly or cardiomyopathy, then your chances of developing the same condition greatly increase. High blood pressure at or above 140/90, coronary artery disease, and any type of heart valve problem can lead to cardiomegaly.

Signs of Enlarged Heart

• Some of the easily recognized signs of cardiomegaly are dizziness, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or a cough of unknown origin. When these signs are combined with arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) and edema or swelling in the extremities, immediately seek medical attention. These are also signs of congestive heart failure and are a good indication that the heart has been compromised.

Other Symptoms

• Chest pain accompanied by shortness of breath may also indicate the presence of an enlarged heart. Often fainting is a symptom of a heart problem. These symptoms may also indicate a heart attack, so seek medical attention immediately.

Diagnosis

• After taking a medical history and performing a physical exam, your physician may also order an X-ray and echocardiogram. If the initial diagnosis is cardiomegaly, then a cardiac catheterization may be performed that will reveal actual blood flow characteristics and heart function measurements. If the results are not clear and in a final effort to reach a definitive diagnosis, the actual heart muscle may be biopsied.

Treatment

• The primary treatment for Cardiomegaly is prescription medicines such as diuretics to relieve the fluid retention, and ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers or Digoxin, which help the heart to pump and lower blood pressure. When medication does not work, then a pace maker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may be used, or heart valve surgery may be performed. Finally, a heart transplant may be the only option if all other treatments have failed.