What is a big heart disease and is it serious?

Under normal circumstances, our heart is about the same size as our fist. In general, the size of the heart is related to our body and weight. However, some people may have an enlarged heart during examination. There are many reasons for heart enlargement. Only by identifying the specific cause can we achieve ideal treatment results.

Causes of heart enlargement.

1. Many diseases can cause cardiac hypertrophy, including heart valve or myocardial disease, arrhythmia, myocardial weakness, pericardial effusion, hypertension and pulmonary hypertension. Thyroid disease or chronic anemia can also cause an enlarged heart. Excessive iron and abnormal protein deposits in the heart can also cause cardiac hypertrophy.

2. Other conditions that can cause an enlarged heart include pregnancy, obesity, malnutrition, stressful lifestyles, certain infections, ingestion of certain toxins (such as drugs and alcohol), and certain medications.

3. Certain people are more susceptible to heart enlargement. You are at high risk for an enlarged heart if you have high blood pressure, blocked arteries, congenital heart disease, valvular disease, or have had a heart attack. It also runs in families, and if there is a family history of enlarged heart, your risk is increased.

4. Although heart enlargement is not a disease, some symptoms may occur, including irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness and coughing. Symptoms will vary depending on the cause. If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting, see your doctor right away.

5. Cardiac hypertrophy can cause multiple complications. You are more likely to develop blood clots and cardiac arrest. Because the friction when blood flows increases, it affects the heart rhythm and the heart may always have a murmur. If left untreated, an enlarged heart can also lead to sudden death. Left ventricular hypertrophy is a severe form of cardiac hypertrophy that carries a high risk of heart failure.

Diagnosis of cardiac hypertrophy.

Doctors can diagnose an enlarged heart in several ways. The first step is usually an X-ray to look at the size of the heart. If the X-ray results are inconclusive, he or she may also order an echocardiogram or electrocardiogram. Doctors may also do a cardiac stress test, CT scan, or MRI. After that, the doctor will conduct tests to find out the underlying cause of the enlarged heart so as to develop the most appropriate treatment plan.