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An enlarged heart, or cardiomegaly, is when your heart is abnormally thick or stretched, becoming larger than usual, with difficulty pumping blood. It is not a disease but a symptom of another condition that puts a strain on your heart. It can be caused by damage to the heart muscle or any condition that makes the heart pump harder than usual, including high blood pressure, heart valve disease, and even pregnancy. In some cases, the cause may be unknown, and it can be temporary or permanent. Treatment for an enlarged heart depends on the underlying cause and may include medications, surgery, or lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and quitting smoking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Technical term | Cardiomegaly |
| Definition | An abnormally thick or overly stretched heart, becoming larger than usual, with difficulty pumping blood |
| Severity | Usually not an emergency medical condition |
| Symptoms | Tingling sensation or pain in the jaw, neck, arms, and back |
| Risk factors | Family history of heart muscle disease, heavy alcohol use, substance use disorder, tobacco use, high blood pressure, history of heart attacks, sedentary lifestyle |
| Causes | Heart condition present at birth, problems with the structure and function of the heart, damage from a heart attack, scarring and other structural heart damage, diseases of the heart muscle, fluid buildup in the sac around the heart, unusual protein deposits in the heart, aerobic exercise, fat around the heart, high blood pressure in the arteries in the lungs, low red blood cell count, pregnancy |
| Treatment | Medication, device implant, surgical procedures, lifestyle modification (healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, controlling cholesterol and blood pressure, reducing alcohol consumption, stopping smoking and substance use) |
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Heart conditions
An enlarged heart, or cardiomegaly, is a condition in which the heart is abnormally thick or overly stretched, becoming larger than usual, with difficulty pumping blood. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a sign that another health condition is affecting the heart. Cardiomegaly can be caused by a range of conditions, including:
Heart Valve Disease: The heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction. Disease or damage to any of these valves can interrupt blood flow and cause the heart chambers to enlarge.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): When blood pressure is high, the heart must pump harder to deliver blood to the rest of the body. This strain can cause the heart muscle to grow larger and become weak. This includes pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs.
Heart Muscle Disease (Cardiomyopathy): Various forms of cardiomyopathy can enlarge the heart. This includes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common inherited form, which causes the heart muscle to thicken and affects about one in 500 people. Another form is dilated cardiomyopathy, in which the damaged muscle thins and stretches out of shape, making the heart expand.
Unusual Protein Deposits (Cardiac Amyloidosis): This rare disease causes a protein called amyloid to collect in the blood and get stuck in organs, including the heart. Amyloid deposits in the heart lead to irreversible thickening of the heart wall, forcing the heart to work harder to fill with blood.
Congenital Heart Defects: Problems with the structure and function of the heart present at birth can cause the heart muscle to enlarge and weaken.
Pericardial Effusion: A collection of fluid in the sac around the heart can cause enlargement and can be seen on a chest X-ray.
Myocarditis: A rare condition where the heart muscle is inflamed, myocarditis can be caused by normally harmless viral infections such as the common cold or flu.
While cardiomegaly is often manageable, it is important to seek medical advice and maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent or lower the risks of developing an enlarged heart.
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High blood pressure
The heart has to work harder when the arteries become narrow and less flexible, making it more difficult for blood to travel throughout the body. This can be caused by a build-up of plaque in the arteries, which can be a result of high cholesterol levels.
Lifestyle changes that can help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of an enlarged heart include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, and avoiding smoking and the use of illegal drugs. It is also important to monitor blood pressure regularly and to seek medical advice if it is consistently high.
In addition to lifestyle changes, medication may be necessary to manage high blood pressure and reduce the risk of an enlarged heart. This may include drugs such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or diuretics. It is important to follow the advice of a healthcare professional and take any prescribed medications as directed.
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Heart valve issues
There are several types of heart valve disease. One type is narrowing (stenosis), where the valves become narrow and blood flow is reduced. Another type is backward flow (regurgitation), where blood flows backward due to leaky valves. This can cause a heart murmur, a sound created by the interrupted blood flow. A third type is prolapse, where the valves become floppy and do not close tightly.
Heart valve disease can cause the heart to work harder to pump blood, leading to an enlarged heart. The condition can be life-threatening if left untreated. Treatment options include medication, valve repair, or valve replacement surgery.
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Cardiomyopathy
There are several types of cardiomyopathy, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is common in young adults and athletes, and peripartum cardiomyopathy, which affects some women before, during, or after pregnancy. Newborns and children can also develop cardiomyopathy. Depending on the type of cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle may become thicker, stiffer, or larger than normal, weakening the heart and potentially leading to an irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or life-threatening events such as cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock.
The causes of cardiomyopathy vary and are often unknown, especially in children. However, it can be caused by genes, other medical conditions, unhealthy lifestyle factors, or extreme stress. Some people with cardiomyopathy may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, swelling in the ankles or legs, or chest pain as the disease progresses. Cardiomyopathy can be diagnosed through tests such as echocardiography and genetic testing, which can also help assess the risk for blood relatives.
While there is no cure for cardiomyopathy, treatments are available to manage the condition and prevent its progression. These include medications, lifestyle changes, surgery, implanted devices to correct arrhythmias, and other nonsurgical procedures. With proper treatment, people with cardiomyopathy can manage their condition and lead a good quality of life.
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Pregnancy
The increased workload on the heart during pregnancy can lead to an enlarged left ventricle, the main pumping chamber of the heart. This is known as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and can cause the heart muscle to thicken and become less efficient. Additionally, the increased blood volume during pregnancy can lead to a stretching and thinning of the heart walls, known as dilatation, which can also contribute to an enlarged heart.
It is important to note that while pregnancy can cause an enlarged heart, most women with heart conditions can still have a safe pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby. However, cardiovascular disease during pregnancy can lead to serious complications and is the leading cause of death among pregnant women in the United States. Therefore, it is crucial for pregnant individuals to seek prenatal care and monitoring, including regular testing such as echocardiograms, to ensure the management of any heart conditions and maintain cardiovascular health throughout pregnancy.
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Frequently asked questions
An enlarged heart, or cardiomegaly, is when the heart is abnormally thick or stretched, becoming larger than usual, with difficulty pumping blood.
An enlarged heart is usually caused by another health condition that puts a strain on the heart, such as high blood pressure, heart valve disease, or inherited heart disease. In some cases, an enlarged heart can be caused by frequent and prolonged exercise, pregnancy, or unknown reasons.
An enlarged heart may not display any symptoms at all. However, some people may experience a tingling sensation or pain in the jaw, neck, arms, and back.
The treatment for an enlarged heart depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Treatment options may include medications, device implants, surgery, and lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and reducing alcohol consumption and smoking.
