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Enlarged Heart Problems

An enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) is not a disease in and of itself, but is a sign of another condition, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although an enlarged heart may not always be preventable, it's usually treatable. The National Institute of Health says cariomyopathy refers to a disease of the heart muscle.This conditions may cause the heart muscle to become enlarged. It's possible for someone with cardiomegaly to have a cardiomyopathy.

  1. Symptoms of an Enlarged Heart

    • An enlarged heart doesn't always present any symptoms. When it does they may include trouble breathing, dizziness, an irregular heart beat (arrhythmia), swelling (edema) and coughing.

    Cardiomegaly

    • Cardiomegaly is the term doctors most often use to reference an enlarged heart that is detected on X-rays before conducting tests to determine exactly what is causing the heart to expand.

      The Mayo Clinic says there can be short-term enlargement of the heart from unusual stress placed on the body such as pregnancy, medical conditions, and heart valve or rhythm abnormalities.

    Causes of Cardiomegaly

    • One possible cause of cardiomegaly is cardiomyopathy--a weakness of the heart muscle. Other underlying causes of an enlarged heart may be due to high blood pressure, heart valve disease, congenital heart defect, abnormal heart beat (arrhythmia), thyroid disorders and an overabundance of iron in the body.

    Treating Cardiomegaly

    • The treatment plan for enlarged heart is aimed at correcting the underlying cause. Potential remedies may include medications, medical procedures or surgery. In extreme cases when all other treatment options fail, a heart transplant may be considered as a last resort.

    Cardiomyopathy

    • The NIH says cardiomyopathy can be inherited, triggered by another condition or develop for unexplained reasons. When cardiomyopathy is present, the heart muscle becomes enlarged, thick or inflexible.

      As cardiomyopathy progressively weakens the heart, it becomes less equipped to pump blood through the body and maintain a normal electrical rhythm. This disabling effect can lead to heart failure and heart valve problems. It may also cause fluid build-up in the lungs, abdomen, feet or legs.

    Treating Cardiomyopathy

    • According to the NIH, treatments for cardiomyopathy may include medications such as diuretics or beta blockers and surgery aimed at controlling symptoms and lessening the chance of complications.

      Anticoagulants (blood thinners) may be used to keep blood clots from developing. When appropriate, treatment may include implanting devices to rectify arrhythmias.

    Complications Due to an Enlarged Heart

    • The Mayo Clinic says an enlarged heart makes the formation of small blood clots more likely in the lining of the heart. If left untreated they can lead to heart attack or stroke. Sometimes an enlarged heart can disturb the rhythm of your heart beat, which may lead to fainting and in extreme cases heart attack or death.

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