Cardiomegaly

Cardiomegaly refers to an enlarged heart. This is often a sign of another condition, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart valve problems. The condition can be temporary due to stress on the body, such as pregnancy, or chronic, leading to serious complications.

Cardiomegally

Introduction

Cardiomegaly is not a disease itself, but a symptom of an underlying issue. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including coronary artery disease, heart valve disorders, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmias, among others. The enlarged heart can weaken over time, leading to heart failure.<ref>Konstam, M. A., Kramer, D. G., Patel, A. R., Maron, M. S., & Udelson, J. E. (2011). Left ventricular remodeling in heart failure: current concepts in clinical significance and assessment. JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, 4(1), 98-108.</ref>

Causes

The most common cause of cardiomegaly is high blood pressure (hypertension) which makes the heart work harder to pump blood. Other causes include coronary artery disease, heart valve disorders, viral infections, excessive alcohol or illicit drug use, hormonal disorders, pregnancy, and certain genetic conditions.<ref>Levy, D., Garrison, R. J., Savage, D. D., Kannel, W. B., & Castelli, W. P. (1990). Left ventricular mass and incidence of coronary heart disease in an elderly cohort. The Framingham Heart Study. Annals of internal medicine, 112(2), 117-122.</ref>

Symptoms

Symptoms of cardiomegaly may include breathlessness, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, swelling (edema), and fatigue. In some cases, it may not cause any symptoms until the condition becomes more advanced.

Diagnosis

Cardiomegaly is usually diagnosed through physical examination, patient's history, and imaging tests, most commonly an X-ray or an echocardiogram. Other tests, such as EKG, stress test, cardiac MRI, or CT scan, may also be used.<ref>Gottdiener, J. S., Bednarz, J., Devereux, R., Gardin, J., Klein, A., Manning, W. J., ... & Thomas, E. (2004). American Society of Echocardiography recommendations for use of echocardiography in clinical trials. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, 17(10), 1086-1119.</ref>

Treatment

Treatment for cardiomegaly focuses on managing the underlying cause. This can involve medication, lifestyle changes, or potentially surgery in severe cases. It's crucial to follow a healthcare provider's advice to manage the condition effectively.<ref>Cohn, J. N., & Tognoni, G. (2001). A randomized trial of the angiotensin-receptor blocker valsartan in chronic heart failure. New England Journal of Medicine, 345(23), 1667-1675.</ref>

Prognosis

The prognosis for cardiomegaly largely depends on the cause, how early it's detected, and the overall health of the individual. If well-managed, patients can live a normal life. However, if untreated or mismanaged, it can lead to serious complications like heart failure, arrhythmias, or sudden cardiac death.

See Also

• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Cardiomyopathy
• Heart Failure

References

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