What does mildly enlarged heart mean?

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 dilate. 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.

What causes a mildly enlarged heart?

An enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) can be caused by damage to the heart muscle or any condition that makes the heart pump harder than usual, including pregnancy. Sometimes the heart gets larger and becomes weak for unknown reasons. This condition is called idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

How is a mild enlarged heart treated?

Is having an enlarged heart serious?

Depending on the cause of the enlarged heart, it may or may not be reversible. 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.

Can an enlarged heart go back to normal?

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.

Enlarged heart - what does that mean?

What are the warning signs of an enlarged heart?

What is the life expectancy of someone 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.

Does exercise help enlarged heart?

Exercise may reduce more than your waist size. It also may help shrink a thickened and enlarged heart. Regular exercise can be at least as beneficial as blood pressure medication when treating an enlarged heart. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St.

Is mild cardiomegaly curable?

For some people, cardiomegaly is just temporary and will resolve on its own. However, other people may have permanent cardiomegaly. It is vital that this symptom and the underlying cause of it are treated to prevent more serious damage to the heart. Treatments include medication, surgery, and lifestyle changes.

Is an enlarged heart a disability?

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a common type of heart muscle disease that causes an enlarged heart. Social Security evaluates dilated cardiomyopathy under its disability listing for chronic heart failure.

What foods help an enlarged heart?

eating a heart-healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables, lean poultry, fish, low fat dairy, and whole grains. limiting salt and saturated and trans fats. avoiding tobacco and alcohol.

Can an ECG detect an enlarged heart?

Electrocardiogram (EKG): An EKG measures the electrical activity of the heart and can detect an enlarged heart as well as determine if a heart is overworked or damaged.

Is enlarged heart hereditary?

Cardiomegaly can be a hereditary problem, or it may develop if you have a condition that affects your heart function. Most of the time, cardiomegaly develops as a result of a medical condition.

Can a mildly enlarged heart be reversed?

“It depends on the etiology,” or origin of the problem. With certain conditions, such as congestive heart failure, complete reversal of the enlargement of the heart may not be possible. But with other conditions, such as pregnancy or a treatable infection, a complete reversal of the condition may be possible.

Can stress cause an enlarged heart?

Contact. DURHAM, N.C. -- When judging whether or not an enlarged heart is healthy or potentially at risk for heart disease, the nature of the physiological stress that produced the enlargement is more important than the duration of the stress, according to a new study led by Duke University Medical Center investigators ...

What can be done for borderline enlarged heart?

Your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan for the condition that's causing your enlarged heart. For example: High blood pressure: ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and beta-blockers. Irregular heart rate: anti-arrhythmic drugs, pacemaker, and implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)

What is the best exercise for an enlarged heart?

Examples: Brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing tennis and jumping rope. Heart-pumping aerobic exercise is the kind that doctors have in mind when they recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity.

Is chocolate good for your heart?

“Chocolate contains heart healthy nutrients such as flavonoids, methylxanthines, polyphenols and stearic acid which may reduce inflammation and increase good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol).”

Does an enlarged heart cause shortness of breath?

Sometimes, an enlarged heart causes no symptoms. If it becomes unable to pump blood well enough, you may get symptoms of congestive heart failure, such as: Shortness of breath (especially when active or when lying flat)

Can drinking alcohol cause enlarged heart?

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is due to drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time, which can weaken your heart so it can no longer pump blood efficiently. Your heart can also become enlarged.

What does a heart failure cough sound like?

You may experience a persistent cough or wheezing (a whistling sound in the lungs or laboured breathing) due to your heart failure. The wheezing is similar to asthma but has a different cause in heart failure.

Do athletes have enlarged hearts?

In the case of athletes who do a lot of very high-intensity training, the heart sometimes actually gets a little bigger. The term “athlete's heart” refers to a natural, subtle enlargement that can happen as the heart adapts to intense athletic training.

What is the medical term for an enlarged heart?

Another name for an enlarged heart is cardiomegaly. The range of underlying problems that can lead to an enlarged heart may be: pathological – linked to actual disease of the heart muscle. physiological – linked to other causes that are overworking the heart muscle, such as high blood pressure or thyroid diseases.

What 3 foods cardiologists say to avoid?

“Avoid any foods that have the words 'trans,' 'hydrogenated,' or 'partially hydrogenated' on the label [indicating bad fats], often found in commercially fried foods, donuts, cookies and potato chips,” advises Dr. DeVane. “Also, be aware of how many calories are coming from sugar.

Which drink is best for heart?

Drink: Water

Plain old water might be the best thing to drink for overall health, and that includes your heart.