Enlarged Heart (Cardiomegaly)

Usually, cardiomegaly symptoms can be seen only when it becomes moderate or serious. Here are some of the common symptoms:

• Irregular heart rhythms
• Coughing
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Extreme tiredness
• Stomach bloating
• Swelling in ankles, legs, and feet
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Pain in arms, back, neck, or jaw

The most common cause of a cardiomegaly is coronary heart disease. There are other enlarged heart causes which includes:

• Cardiomyopathy
• Congenital heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sarcoidosis
• Anaemia
• Arrhythmia
• Pregnancy
• Heart valve disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Lung disease
• Kidney failure
• Hyperthyroidism
• Lung disease

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:

• Chest X-ray- For chest and heart image recording
• Cardiac CT scan- To create the video of heart and blood flow
• Transthoracic echocardiogram- To assess the size of a heart and its functioning
• Electrocardiogram- For studying the electrical activity of the heart
• Exercise stress test- To learn how the heart responds by raising its rate with medicine or exercise
• Heart MRI- To generate detailed heart pictures
• Genetic testing-To evaluate if the patient has any underlying genetic condition

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:

• Lifestyle changes- Doctors recommend making certain lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, controlling fluid intake, reducing salt intake, and limiting alcohol.
• Heart medications- Various heart medications are recommended which involve antiarrhythmic, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), anticoagulants, beta-blockers, and diuretics.
• Surgery- Sometimes, surgery (ICD), heart valve replacement, and coronary artery bypass surgery

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.