Cardiomegaly also known as an enlarged heart is a condition which simply means having a heart bigger than normal. It means that the patient’s heart becomes enlarged if the muscle puts strain and it thickens or the chamber is dilated. It is not a disease, but a symptom of heart defect or a condition which makes the heart put more effort into its functioning. An enlarged heart is a warning of various heart problems such as cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure, and heart valve problems. In cardiomegaly, it becomes difficult for the heart to pump sufficient blood efficiently compared to the one that’s not enlarged. It can cause some serious complications such as heart failure and heart attack if left untreated.
Usually, cardiomegaly symptoms can be seen only when it becomes moderate or serious. Here are some of the common symptoms:
The most common cause of a cardiomegaly is coronary heart disease. There are other enlarged heart causes which includes:
The cardiomegaly diagnosis begins with discussing the patient’s symptoms and family history. The doctor might order certain tests to evaluate cardiomegaly and for ruling out other conditions. Here are the usually ordered tests:
Cardiomegaly treatment involves condition management that’s causing an enlarged heart. Doctors often recommend medications to treat underlying heart conditions. Here are the treatment options for an enlarged heart:
BM Birla Heart Research Centre is the only hospital delivering super speciality cardiac care to patients all over the eastern region. The hospital has healthcare professionals and support staff who have years of experience and training to manage complex cardiology requirements and cardiac surgery. Among all other cardiac services, cardiomegaly treatment is also managed by our team of expert cardiologists. We are one of the NABH-accredited hospitals in India known for our ethical practices and integrity. If you are diagnosed with an enlarged heart and looking for treatment, then we are your one-stop solution. Book your appointment today.
Yes, it can be serious but that entirely depends on the condition which is causing it. Conditions causing an enlarged heart can be chronic and might require long-term treatment.
No, for some people this condition might resolve on its own, but some people may have a permanently enlarged heart and might need treatment to avert serious heart damage.
This surgical procedure is recommended for patients who have a higher risk or are too sick, or too old for open heart surgery. It was first tested in 2002 on patients with severe aortic stenosis (a narrowing of the aortic valve opening), who were considered unfit for open heart surgery.
Heart failure is a serious condition marked by the inefficiency of the heart muscles to pump blood to different parts of the body. Also referred to as congestive heart failure, the condition can prove to be life-threatening if not addressed immediately. Such patients are often recommended to undergo a heart transplant, a surgical procedure that involves the replacement of a diseased or non-functional part of the patient’s heart with a healthy heart taken from a deceased donor.
Over the past few decades, various innovations and advancements in the field of cardiology have helped us to learn more and more about the human heart, its functioning, and the diseases that affect it.