What does enlargement of the heart mean

The main cause of an enlarged heart is when the walls of the ventricles become thin and stretched beyond their normal size. This is known as dilated cardiomyopathy. It can also be due to a thickening of the ventricles.

This is known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. If a person experiences shortness of breath, an abnormal heart rhythm or edema these could be signs of an enlarged heart and be a reason for your doctor to conduct further tests. If yours is bigger than it should be, your doctor might tell you that you have an enlarged heart.

As a result, blood stagnates and the heart gets bigger — similar to a balloon with too much fluid in it. One symptom you might experience if you have an enlarged heart is trouble breathing when you exert yourself. You may also feel fatigued, dizzy or light-headed.

You can have swelling in your legs, ankles, feet or abdomen, as well. There are a number of health conditions that can cause an enlarged heart — these four are among the most common. If you have high blood pressure , or hypertension, your heart has to work harder.

Some conditions — such as pregnancy — increase demand on the heart. Other conditions can thicken the heart wall muscle or stretch out the heart chambers dilate which makes the heart larger. People with cardiomegaly may not have any symptoms until their condition becomes more severe. The symptoms you may experience include:. Your doctor will diagnose cardiomegaly by doing a physical exam and assessing your:. The treatment for cardiomegaly depends on the underlying medical condition that is causing the problem and how much your heart is enlarged.

The goal of treatment is to control your symptoms and prevent further complications. Your treatment may include medications, surgery and lifestyle changes.

You and your doctor will discuss the treatment options and decide what is best for you and your circumstances. Here are some tips for managing your medications. Lifestyle You can lower your risk of developing other heart diseases and stroke by knowing and controlling your blood pressure, diabetes and blood cholesterol.

Talk to your doctor about the lifestyle changes that will benefit you the most. Find someone you can turn to for emotional support like a family member, friend, doctor, mental health worker or support group.

Talking about your challenges and feelings could be an important part of your journey to recovery.