You may not have symptoms of a slightly enlarged heart.
Its size might only be noticed when you have an imaging test of your chest, like an X-ray.
Sometimes, it’s just a temporary problem.
Ariel Skelley / Verywell
This article discusses mild cardiomegaly.
Ariel Skelley / Verywell
What Are the Symptoms of Mild Cardiomegaly?
Many people with mild cardiomegaly never have symptoms.
Identifying the cause of mild cardiomegaly will make management and treatment more effective.
The medications give a shot to keep your blood pressure within a safe range for your heart to work.
For example, in anemia, the body has a reduced hemoglobin level.
This leads to decreased oxygen delivery in the body.
Treatments for blood disorders that affect the heart vary.
With conditions like beta-thalassemia or sickle cell disease, you may need to have blood transfusions.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can change the size of the heart temporarily.
The extra demand makes the heart work harder and get bigger.
Over time, the stress causes the heart to get bigger.
Alcohol can also create toxins in the body that damage the heart.
Ultimately, these substances can cause the heart to enlarge as it tries to work harder.
How is Mild Cardiomegaly Diagnosed?
How is Mild Cardiomegaly Prevented?
You cant always prevent cardiomegaly.
Some people are also born with an enlarged heart (congenital).
However, there are some other risk factors that you do have some control over.
In some cases, a person is born with an enlarged heart.
There are also some temporary causes, like being pregnant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mild cardiomegaly means the heart is a little bigger than normal.
Having mild cardiomegaly can be one of the first signs of a heart disorder.
Depending on the cause of the cardiomegaly, there can be ways to reverse the condition.
People can live for many years, often decades, with cardiomegaly.
Certain treatments, such as medications or interventions, can help prevent further enlargement of the heart.
Many people live with mild cardiomegaly and do not develop symptoms.
American Heart Association.What is cardiomyopathy in adults?.
MedPark Hospital.What is cardiomegaly?.
American Heart Association.Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
St. Clair Health.Enlarged heart.
Keck Medicine of USC.What causes an enlarged heart?.
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.Enlarged heart.
