What is Cardiomegaly?
You may be familiar with a variety of heart conditions, but have you ever heard of cardiomegaly? This one can be sneaky since it may not present any symptoms at all.
Cardiomegaly is the name given to a condition in which your heart is enlarged. Cardiomegaly is not considered to be a disease but is instead an indication of another health condition.
Read on to learn more about cardiomegaly, the signs your heart may be enlarged, what can cause cardiomegaly, and what you can do to protect your heart health.
How Do You Know if You Have Cardiomegaly?
Sometimes it may be tough to know if you have cardiomegaly because some cases are mild and don’t show any symptoms. On the bright side, some of these mild cases end up being only temporary and resolve on their own.
If your heart is enlarged, some of the symptoms that may arise are:
- Shortness of breath
- Heart arrhythmia
- Chest pain
- Edema
- Faintness or fainting
Since mild cardiomegaly can be easy to miss, it’s important to be aware and address any of the symptoms listed. If you have any of the above symptoms and they are severe or you have a combination of the above symptoms, you should call your doctor right away to see if you need emergency treatment. In some cases, this can be an indication of a heart attack.
What Can Cause Cardiomegaly?
Since cardiomegaly is typically a condition that is a symptom of another condition, it’s important to determine what caused your cardiomegaly so it can be treated properly. An enlarged heart can be caused by a variety of conditions, some heart-specific and others not.
Some of the possible causes of cardiomegaly are:
- Coronary artery disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Hypertension
- Anemia
- Thyroid disorders
- Hemochromatosis
- Previous heart attack
Scheduling regular visits with your doctor can help detect any of the above conditions so they can be treated appropriately which can also treat your enlarged heart. If you have a genetic heart condition, you should be especially diligent about regular exams with your doctor. This could help detect any complications early so they can be managed and hopefully stopped in their tracks.
How is Cardiomegaly Treated?
In order to treat cardiomegaly, it is necessary to determine the underlying cause. Your doctor will conduct a series of tests to figure out what could be causing your heart to be enlarged.
Some of the methods used for diagnosing the underlying causes of cardiomegaly are:
- Physical exam– You should get physical exams at least once a year as a general rule, but especially if you have an existing health condition or if you’re at an increased risk for a health condition.
- Stress test- This will show your doctor how your heart responds to physical exertion.
- Blood tests- These can indicate whether high blood pressure or cholesterol may be to blame for an enlarged heart.
- Chest X-rays- Your doctor can check for any abnormalities of the heart and lungs.
- CT scan- This can detect any issues with your heart valves.
- Echocardiogram- Sound waves are used to check the health of your heart chambers.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)- This can identify if you have a heart arrhythmia.
Once your doctor is able to pinpoint the underlying cause of your cardiomegaly, they can curate an appropriate treatment plan for you.
There are four main forms of treatment for cardiomegaly and its underlying causes:
- Medications will be prescribed to manage the conditions that have caused your heart to enlarge. You may be started on beta-blockers if your blood pressure is high or anti-arrhythmic drugs for an irregular heartbeat.
- Implantable devices may be necessary to manage heart arrhythmias or heart failure.
- Lifestyle changes require more effort on the part of the patient but can go a long way toward supporting your heart and overall health.
- Surgery may be needed in cases where heart conditions don’t respond to the above treatments. Some patients may need a heart transplant if they continue to experience symptoms of heart conditions despite trying all of the available treatments.
What Can Happen if You Leave Cardiomegaly Untreated?
While mild cardiomegaly could potentially resolve on its own, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek out treatment if you think you have a heart condition in the hopes that it’ll just go away.
If you have permanent cardiomegaly and leave it untreated, there could be some consequences over time:
- Blood clots can develop if the heart isn’t able to pump blood efficiently. If blood doesn’t flow properly, it can start to clump up and create a clot.
- Heart failure (weak heart) can result when blood isn’t being pumped out in sufficient quantity.
- Cardiac arrest is one of the most serious complications from untreated cardiomegaly. Your heart could malfunction and stop beating.
How Can You Protect Your Heart from Cardiomegaly?
Even if you only have a mild case of cardiomegaly, your best defense is to take good care of your heart. This can prevent the condition from worsening and give you a better chance of it resolving itself. If you have a genetic heart condition that has caused your heart to enlarge, incorporating some heart-healthy habits into your life can help prevent further damage.
Here are some lifestyle changes you can make to protect your heart from cardiomegaly and the related health conditions:
- Exercise is so important for your heart health, yet many people don’t get enough. Some fear that physical exertion could strain their heart and exacerbate their health condition. The key is to exercise at the appropriate intensity to reap the heart-strengthening benefits. Talk to your doctor about what level of exercise would be safe for you.
- A heart-healthy diet is essential for building up your heart’s resilience. You can’t outrun a poor diet so making healthy food choices is a must for overall health and wellbeing. Incorporate fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, legumes, and lean protein like chicken and fish into your diet. Eat whole foods whenever possible rather than processed foods that tend to be high in fat, sugar, or sodium.
- Check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. If your numbers are elevated, it’s important to work with your doctor to lower them. High blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can all cause further complications for an enlarged heart. If you tend to run high with your blood pressure or blood sugar, these can easily be monitored at home. It’s worthwhile to invest in a home blood pressure monitor and blood glucose testing kit.
Summary
Now you know what cardiomegaly is and some of the symptoms that may indicate an enlarged heart. You also know some of the signals your body may be sending out to tell you that it needs some additional support for your cardiovascular health. Implementing some lifestyle changes can help support your heart health and decrease your risk of health conditions.
While a healthy diet and lifestyle are extremely helpful for a strong cardiovascular system, it’s important to seek out professional care if you have a history of heart disease or experience any symptoms related to heart disease. If you’re experiencing symptoms of poor cardiovascular health that don’t respond to diet and lifestyle changes, contact us today to book an appointment.
