What Does Left Atrial Enlargement Mean?

The heart is divided into four chambers. Blood flows through the body releasing oxygen and returns to the right atrium. The right atrium sends it to the right ventricle, which sends it to the lungs to replenish the oxygen. The left atrium gets the blood from the lungs, pumps it to the left ventricle, which sends back through the body.

Enlargement

• Left atrial enlargement means that the right upper chamber of the heart is larger than normal and generally proportionally larger than the other chambers. There are various causes for the enlargement.

Mitral Stenosis

• The mitral valve is between the left atrium and left ventricle. Paul H. Tanser, MD says mitral stenosis, or narrowing of the valve, is usually from rheumatic fever, but babies may have it at birth. The narrowing causes more blood to fill the left atrium and can enlarge it.

Hypertension

• Hypertension means that the blood pressure is higher than normal. The increased pressure can cause the left atrial to enlarge.

Obesity

• Obesity is related to enlargement of the left atrium. Researchers at University of Arizona found obesity also increased risk of left ventricular hypertrophythe, which is an increase in the volume of an organ or tissue because of the enlargement of its component cells.

Considerations

• Most people do not have symptoms of an enlarged left atrium. Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat hypertension or discuss dieting to help prevent further damage.