Medication
Treatment of cardiomegaly often begins with lifestyle modifications to decrease risk factors. These may include losing weight, increasing exercise, decreasing alcohol consumption, and eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, poultry, and fish, while limiting intake of sodium, red meats, and saturated fats.
Procedures
Enlarged heart treatment may include procedures/surgery to: Implant a pacemaker to help your heart beat a steady rhythm. Place an implantable cardioverted-defibrillator (ICD), a device that can shock your heart back into rhythm. Repair or replace a …
Nutrition
A treatment for cardiomegaly includes controlling blood pressure through the use of medications such as angio-converting enzymes and angiotensin-receptor blockers. For example, physicians may prescribe lisinopril, captopril or losartan to stabilize blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart muscle and the kidneys. Strengthen the Heart
How serious is cardiomegaly?
Nov 17, 2021 · Your doctor might recommend a fetal echocardiogram if you have a family history of cardiomegaly or heart defects, or if your baby has a genetic disorder like Down syndrome. How is an enlarged heart...
Can cardiomegaly be reversed?
Jul 19, 2021 · Treatments including procedures to repair or replace the valves can help control the size of the heart. Blood Disorders Certain blood disorders can result in the enlargement of the heart. These include: Anemia Beta thalassemia Sickle cell disease Blood disorders impact the delivery of oxygen to tissues in the body by hemoglobin.
Can enlarged heart be reversed?
Can an enlarged heart go back to normal?
Is there any treatment for cardiomegaly?
Using the latest methods and technologies, our treatments for cardiomegaly may include: Medications to manage heart disease. Surgery, such as heart valve surgery or bypass surgery, to restore normal blood flow and heart function. Heart transplant, if your heart is working so poorly that it is not able to keep you alive.
Is cardiomegaly serious?
The conditions that cause cardiomegaly can damage the heart muscle. They can lead to complications if left untreated, such as: Heart failure. When the left ventricle enlarges, it can lead to heart failure.
Can enlarged heart go back to normal?
Enlarged heart, depending on the cause may return to normal size if appropriate and timely treatment is given. In many cases it will not however, in which case the goal is prompt recognition and treatment to stabilize the situation and prevent further enlargement.May 14, 2018
How long can you live with cardiomegaly?
Life expectancy with congestive heart failure varies depending on the severity of the condition, genetics, age, and other factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around one-half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive beyond five years.Jul 18, 2018
What causes cardiomegaly?
Cardiomegaly can be caused by many conditions, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, infections, inherited disorders, and cardiomyopathies. Dilative cardiomyopathy: This type is characterized by a wide, poorly functioning left ventricle, which is the heart's primary pumping chamber.Jan 12, 2018
Can you live a normal life with an enlarged heart?
The effect of an enlarged heart on life expectancy depends in part on the underlying cause. But even with treatment, many people have a downhill course. Most with severe heart disease die within a few years. The treatment for an enlarged heart also depends to some extent on its cause.Jul 6, 1993
What are the symptoms of heart enlargement?
The symptoms you may experience include:shortness of breath.chest pain.heart palpitations (rapid, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat)arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)dizziness.fainting.rapid exhaustion with physical activity.swelling.
What 3 foods cardiologists say to avoid?
Here are eight of the items on their lists:Bacon, sausage and other processed meats. Hayes, who has a family history of coronary disease, is a vegetarian. ... Potato chips and other processed, packaged snacks. ... Dessert. ... Too much protein. ... Fast food. ... Energy drinks. ... Added salt. ... Coconut oil.Feb 28, 2022
Can enlarged heart cause death?
Over time, an enlarged heart can cause serious health problems. Most notably, it can increase the risk of sudden death. In addition, it can cause fluid to build up in the body and lungs, which can lead to heart failure.
Is an enlarged heart a death sentence?
Although it can be a severe disease, heart failure is not a death sentence, and treatment is now better than ever. When this happens, blood and fluid may back up into the lungs (congestive heart failure), and some parts of the body don't get enough oxygen-rich blood to work normally.Feb 15, 2021
Does an enlarged heart make you tired?
As your heart works overtime, it can cause tiredness, shortness of breath and a feeling of being simply worn out. Such are the signs of fatigue, one of the most common symptoms of congestive heart failure.
What is cardiomegaly?
Cardiomegaly refers to the enlargement of the heart and is usually indicative of an underlying heart condition. The heart, which is located in the...
What causes cardiomegaly?
Cardiomegaly can develop from a variety of conditions that affect how the heart functions. Certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, can mak...
What are the signs and symptoms of cardiomegaly?
People who have an enlarged heart usually show signs or symptoms that may include shortness of breath, abnormal heart rhythms, fatigue, chest pain,...
How is cardiomegaly diagnosed?
To diagnose cardiomegaly, a healthcare provider will start by reviewing the individual’s medical history and performing a physical exam. A chest X-...
How is cardiomegaly treated?
Treatment of cardiomegaly often begins with lifestyle modifications to decrease risk factors. These may include losing weight, increasing exercise,...
What are the most important facts to know about cardiomegaly?
Cardiomegaly refers to the enlargement of the heart. Cardiomegaly isn’t a disease itself, but is rather a change in the heart muscle as a result of...
What is the treatment for an enlarged heart?
Enlarged heart treatment may include procedures/surgery to: Implant a pacemaker to help your heart beat a steady rhythm. Place an implantable cardioverted-defibrillator (ICD), a device that can shock your heart back into rhythm. Repair or replace a damaged heart valve. Coronary artery bypass or stent placement.
What are the best medications for heart disease?
Common heart medications include: Anti-arrhythmics to keep your heart beating in a normal rhythm. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to lower your blood pressure. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) to lower your blood pressure . Anticoagulants to reduce your risk of blood clots.
Why does my heart get enlarged?
Some people may have an enlarged heart because of a temporary condition, such as pregnancy. Or underlying conditions , such as high blood pressure or cardiomyopathy, may lead to an enlarged heart. You can prevent cardiomegaly by living a healthy lifestyle and managing risk factors. Though an enlarged heart may not go away, ...
What is an enlarged heart?
What's an enlarged heart? An enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) refers to a heart that is bigger than typical. The heart may be unusually thick or dilated (stretched). An enlarged heart may be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
Why does my heart get bigger?
Some people have an enlarged heart because of temporary factors, such as pregnancy or an infection. In these cases, your heart will return to its usual size after treatment. If your enlarged heart is due to a chronic (ongoing) condition, it usually will not go away.
What is the purpose of an echocardiogram?
Echocardiogram to evaluate and create an image of your heartbeat and blood flow. Electrocardiogram (EKG) to study your heart’s electrical activity. Exercise stress test, raising your heart rate with medicine or exercise to learn how your heart responds.
What happens if your heart is enlarged?
Potential health complications from an enlarged heart can include: Blood clots, which can block blood flow and lead to a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism (clot in the lung). Heart failure, if the left side of your heart is enlarged ( left ventricular hypertrophy ).
What are the complications of cardiomegaly?
Complications. Possible complications include: Blood clots: People with cardiomegaly are at risk of blood clots forming in the heart’s lining. If the clots enter the bloodstream, they can hinder the flow of blood to the rest of the body. In some cases, this can lead to stroke or heart attack.
What is cardiomyopathy in the heart?
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the myocardium or heart muscle that causes cardiomegaly. There are 2 types of cardiomyopathy. Dilative cardiomyopathy: This type is characterized by a wide, poorly functioning left ventricle, which is the heart’s primary pumping chamber.
Why does my heart murmur?
Heart murmur: Some of the heart’s valves may not shut correctly due to cardiomegaly. This causes a backflow of blood, which leads to sounds called heart murmurs. Heart murmurs may be harmless but should be monitored. Complications of cardiomegaly depend on the reason for it and the level of the enlargement.
What is it called when the heart is enlarged?
If the heart is enlarged then this is known as cardiomegaly, which may present as mild or severe. Cardiomegaly can be caused by many conditions, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, infections, inherited disorders, and cardiomyopathies. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the myocardium or heart muscle that causes cardiomegaly.
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
Seek emergency medical treatment if any of the symptoms of a heart attack are experienced, such as: severe chest pain. shortness of breath. fainting. discomfort or sensations in the arms, back, neck, or stomach. The outlook for people with mild cardiomegaly depends on the underlying cause.
What is the purpose of ECG?
Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG is used to record the heart’s electrical activity and to diagnose abnormalities in its rhythm. Cardiac biopsy: A tube is inserted into the groin and through the blood vessels to the heart. From here, a small sample of heart tissue is taken and analyzed.
Can stress cause cardiomyopathy?
Treatment will help reverse this condition. Extreme stress: Stress can lead to acute stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Approximately 75 percent of people with the condition have undergone emotional or physical stress. Pregnancy: The heart can sometimes become larger around the time of delivery.
What is the best treatment for an enlarged heart?
Heart valve surgery. If your enlarged heart is caused by a problem with one of your heart valves or if it has caused heart valve problems, you may have surgery to repair or replace the affected valve. Coronary bypass surgery. If your enlarged heart is related to coronary artery disease, your doctor may recommend coronary artery bypass surgery.
What tests are done to determine if your heart is enlarged?
These tests may include: Chest X-ray. X-ray images help your doctor see the condition of your lungs and heart. If your heart is enlarged on an X-ray, other tests ...
What is the name of the test that shows the electrical activity of the heart?
Electrocardiogram. This test records the electrical activity of your heart through electrodes attached to your skin. Impulses are recorded as waves and displayed on a monitor or printed on paper. This test helps your doctor diagnose heart rhythm problems and damage to your heart from a heart attack. Echocardiogram.
What is a cardiac MRI?
Cardiac computer ized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). During a cardiac CT scan, you lie on a table inside a doughnut-shaped machine. An X-ray tube inside the machine rotates around your body and collects images of your heart and chest. In a cardiac MRI, you lie on a table inside a long tubelike machine ...
What is the best medication to lower blood pressure?
Diuretics to lower the amount of sodium and water in your body, which can help lower the pressure in your arteries and heart. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to lower your blood pressure and improve your heart's pumping capability.
What are the benefits of beta blockers?
Beta blockers to lower blood pressure and improve heart function. Anticoagulants to reduce the risk of blood clots that could cause a heart attack or stroke.
What is LVAD pump?
Left ventricular assist device (LVAD). If you have heart failure, you may need this implantable mechanical pump to help your weakened heart pump. You may have an LVAD implanted while you wait for a heart transplant or, if you're not a candidate for heart transplant, as a long-term treatment for heart failure.
What is the best medicine for high blood pressure?
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: used to lower your blood pressure and improve your heart's pumping function. Most often, these treat high blood pressure, but they are found to improve heart function too. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs): used for those who can't take ACE inhibitors.
How to treat enlarged heart?
Lifestyle and home remedies for enlarged heart. follow a healthy diet. manage the levels of stresses in your life. lose excess weight (if you're overweight) get plenty of sound sleep (at least eight hours night sleep) control any underlying condition such as diabetes. quit smoking. avoid consumption of alcohol.
Where is the pacemaker placed?
In particular if the enlarged heart is due to dilated cardiomyopathy, a pacemaker may be placed between the left and right ventricle as necessary. Pacemaker is an implantable medical device to coordinate heart contractions.
Can an enlarged heart be treated?
An enlarged heart can be treated and, in some cases, it is possible over time to reduce the area of your heart that has become enlarged. Treatments for an enlarged heart focus on correcting the underlying cause of heart enlargement.
What to do if your heart is enlarged?
If the enlarged heart is caused due to a problem with any of your heart valves or if the heart enlargement has caused heart valve problems, your doctor may suggest for a surgery to repair or replace the affected valve (s) to fix the problem.
How to reduce cholesterol in a diabetic?
take time for a light and modest exercise after discussing with your doctor. monitor your blood pressure regularly and control hypertension. avoid caffeine. limit salt in your diet. adopting a low-fat diet. dietary changes to reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Can you get a heart transplant if you are critically ill?
Heart transplant. If all other options do not work, a heart transplant may be a final option. Because of the shortage of donor hearts, even people who are critically ill may have a long wait before having a heart transplant. In several cases, they do not get a heart donor.
How to treat cardiomegaly?
Treatment for cardiomegaly includes the use of beta blockers and cardioglycosides to strengthen the pumping function of the heart.
What is the final treatment for cardiomegaly?
The final treatment option for cardiomegaly is a heart transplant 3. The wait for a heart is long due to the shortage of donors. Patients receive supportive care and symptom management until a donor heart becomes available.
Why do we need a pacemaker?
When medications are not enough to control the symptoms of cardiomegaly, a pacemaker may be inserted to help synchronize the beating action of the heart. The authors of the 2006 edition of “Medical-Surgical Nursing: Critical Thinking for Collaborative Care” explain that a pacemaker that generates electrical impulses in both ventricles allows the heart to fill with blood and pump better 4. Patients with cardiomegaly often experience dangerous irregular heart rhythms 3. Physicians treat this problem with special pacemakers called implantable-cardioverter defibrillators, which detect and eliminate lethal heart rhythms by delivering an electrical shock directly to the heart.
What is a cardiomegaly heart?
Cardiomegaly is an enlarged heart and a symptom of cardiomyopathy, or disease of the heart 1. Cardiomegaly occurs from multiple causes, and poorly controlled high blood pressure is a common factor. The American Heart Association explains there are three types of cardiomyopathy, each with the end result of an enlarged heart: dilated, ...
What is the effect of beta blockers on heart rate?
Beta blockers like metoprolol and cardioglycosides like digoxin reduce the heart rate. This action allows the heart to better fill with blood, which, combined with a stronger pumping action improves cardiac output. Cardiomegaly weakens the heart muscle and reduces the ability of the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. ...
Can a heart valve be repaired?
Heart Valve Repair. If the cause of the cardiomegaly is a poorly functioning heart valve, the affected valve can be surgically repaired or replaced. Patients may receive a mechanical or biologic heart valve.
What is a heart pump?
A heart pump or ventricular assist device is a surgically implanted mechanical pump that takes over the work of the ventricles. This treatment for cardiomegaly is reserved for the sickest patients waiting for a heart transplant 3.
How to lower cholesterol and blood pressure?
doing aerobic and strength-training exercises on most days of the week. checking your blood pressure and cholesterol level regularly, and working with your doctor to lower them if they’re high. You should also see your doctor for regular checkups to make sure your heart is healthy.
What does it mean when your heart is enlarged?
An enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) means that your heart is bigger than normal. Your heart can become enlarged if the muscle works so hard that it thickens, or if the chambers widen. An enlarged heart isn’t a disease. It’s a symptom of a heart defect or condition that makes the heart work harder, such as cardiomyopathy, heart valve problems, ...
What is the condition that causes a hole in the heart?
Congenital conditions. Congenital cardiomegaly is a heart disorder you’re born with. Congenital heart defects that cause this symptom include: atrial septal defect, a hole in the wall separating the two upper chambers of the heart. ventricular septal defect, a hole in the wall separating the two lower chambers of the heart.
Why does my heart get bigger?
Any disease that makes your heart work harder to pump blood through your body can cause an enlarged heart. Just as the muscles of your arms and legs get bigger when you work them, your heart gets bigger when you work it. The most common causes of an enlarged heart are ischemic heart disease and high blood pressure.
What are the symptoms of a medical emergency?
shortness of breath . an irregular heart rhythm ( arrhythmia) swelling in the legs and ankles caused by fluid buildup ( edema) fatigue. dizziness. Symptoms that indicate a medical emergency include: chest pain. trouble catching your breath. pain in your arms, back, neck, or jaw.
Why does blood flow backwards?
When blood flows backwards, the heart has to work harder to push it out.
What is the term for a progressive heart disease?
Cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a progressive heart disease with several types. Diseases that damage the heart muscle can cause it to enlarge. The more damage that occurs, the weaker and less able to pump the heart becomes.
Heart Disorders
There are a variety of heart disorders that can lead to mild cardiomegaly. Mild cardiomegaly is generally not considered to be a disease of the heart, but instead the consequence of certain heart diseases. Understanding the cause of mild cardiomegaly makes management and treatment much more effective. Causes can include:
Blood Disorders
Certain blood disorders can result in the enlargement of the heart. These include:
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can impact the size of the heart temporarily. In pregnancy, your heart is responsible for pumping your blood and the blood to your baby. The extra demand makes the heart work harder and enlarge. Usually, the cardiomegaly in pregnancy is reversible, and the heart goes back to a normal size a few months after the baby is born.
Drugs and Alcohol
Consuming cocaine, methamphetamine, or large amounts of alcohol is known to cause a heart disease called cardiomyopathy. 2 Stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine place the heart under a large amount of stress. Over time, the stress causes the heart to enlarge. Alcohol can create toxins in the body that damage the heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mild cardiomegaly is used to describe a mildly enlarged heart. Mild cardiomegaly may be one of the first signs of another heart disorder. If you have cardiomegaly, you should consult with a physician so they can evaluate the potential causes of an enlarged heart.
A Word From Verywell
Medications and procedures to treat heart diseases can help patients live long and fulfilling lives, making issues like mild cardiomegaly manageable. Heart disease is the most common disease in the world, and many advances have been made to treat heart disease effectively.
