Cardiomegaly: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

CSV import
CSV import
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Cardiomegaly
| image          = [[File:Cardiomegally.PNG|250px]]
| caption        = X-ray showing cardiomegaly
| field          = [[Cardiology]]
| synonyms        = Enlarged heart
| symptoms        = [[Shortness of breath]], [[chest pain]], [[palpitations]], [[fatigue]]
| complications  = [[Heart failure]], [[arrhythmia]], [[sudden cardiac death]]
| onset          = Varies
| duration        = Chronic
| causes          = [[Hypertension]], [[coronary artery disease]], [[valvular heart disease]], [[cardiomyopathy]]
| risks          = [[High blood pressure]], [[obesity]], [[diabetes]], [[family history]]
| diagnosis      = [[Physical examination]], [[chest X-ray]], [[echocardiogram]], [[MRI]]
| differential    = [[Pericardial effusion]], [[athlete's heart]]
| prevention      = [[Blood pressure control]], [[healthy diet]], [[regular exercise]]
| treatment      = [[Medications]], [[surgery]], [[lifestyle changes]]
| prognosis      = Depends on underlying cause
| frequency      = Common
}}
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.
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.
[[File:Cardiomegally.PNG|thumb|Cardiomegally]]
[[File:Cardiomegally.PNG|left|thumb|Cardiomegally]]
==Introduction==
==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>
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==
==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>
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==
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.
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==
==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>
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==
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>
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==
==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.
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.
 
== Cardiomegaly gallery==
<gallery>
File:Cardiomegally.PNG|Cardiomegally
File:Cardiothoracic_ratio.jpg|Cardiothoracic ratio
File:Histopathology_of_myocardial_hypertrophy.jpg|Histopathology of myocardial hypertrophy
File:Weight_of_heart_versus_body.jpg|Weight of heart versus body
</gallery>
==See Also==
==See Also==
* [[Heart disease]]
* [[Heart disease]]
Line 24: Line 45:
* [[Cardiomyopathy]]
* [[Cardiomyopathy]]
* [[Heart Failure]]
* [[Heart Failure]]
==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />
Line 31: Line 51:
* [[Category:Cardiovascular diseases]]
* [[Category:Cardiovascular diseases]]
{{stub}}
{{stub}}
== Cardiomegaly ==
<gallery>
File:Cardiomegally.PNG|Cardiomegally
File:Cardiothoracic_ratio.jpg|Cardiothoracic ratio
File:Histopathology_of_myocardial_hypertrophy.jpg|Histopathology of myocardial hypertrophy
File:Weight_of_heart_versus_body.jpg|Weight of heart versus body
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 21:16, 4 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Cardiomegaly
Synonyms Enlarged heart
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, fatigue
Complications Heart failure, arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death
Onset Varies
Duration Chronic
Types N/A
Causes Hypertension, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy
Risks High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, family history
Diagnosis Physical examination, chest X-ray, echocardiogram, MRI
Differential diagnosis Pericardial effusion, athlete's heart
Prevention Blood pressure control, healthy diet, regular exercise
Treatment Medications, surgery, lifestyle changes
Medication N/A
Prognosis Depends on underlying cause
Frequency Common
Deaths N/A


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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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.

Cardiomegaly gallery[edit]

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

<references />

This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
PubMed
Wikipedia