Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Find out if you have an enlarged heart
• Method 2 of 4: Adjust your lifestyle
• Method 3 of 4: Consider other procedures and surgeries
• Method 4 of 4: Treat with drugs

You have an enlarged heart, also called cardiomegaly or heart enlargement, when your heart is larger than normal. An enlarged heart is not a disease in itself, but a symptom caused by various other diseases and conditions. If you think you have an enlarged heart, follow some simple steps to find out how to recognize and treat an enlarged heart.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Find out if you have an enlarged heart

1. Know the causes. There are many conditions that can cause an enlarged heart. These include disorders of the heart valves and heart muscle, a cardiac arrhythmia, weakened heart muscle, fluid around the heart, high blood pressure and pulmonary hypertension. You can also develop an enlarged heart if you have thyroid disease or chronic anemia. Another cause is an accumulation of too much iron or abnormal proteins in the heart.
   • Other situations have also been associated with an enlarged heart. An enlarged heart can be caused by pregnancy, obesity, nutrient deficiency, stressful events, certain infections, ingestion of certain toxins such as drugs and alcohol, and the use of some medications.
2. Know the risk factors. Certain people have a higher risk of having an enlarged heart. You are at risk if you have high blood pressure, blocked arteries, a congenital heart defect or heart valve disease, or if you have had a heart attack. You are also at risk if more family members have an enlarged heart, as this is a condition that can be hereditary.
   • If your blood pressure is above 140/90, it is high enough to be considered a risk factor for an enlarged heart.
3. Find out what the symptoms are. Even though an enlarged heart is not a disease in itself, there are some symptoms that some people with an enlarged heart suffer from. An irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and cough are some of the symptoms of an enlarged heart. The symptoms can be different depending on what the underlying cause of your heart enlargement is.
   • See your doctor right away if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting.
4. Understand the complications. There are several complications that can arise if you have an enlarged heart. Blood clots can develop more quickly and you can get a cardiac arrest more quickly. You may also have persistent heart murmurs caused by circulatory friction. In this case, the heart rhythm is disturbed. If you do not do anything about the complaints, you can also suddenly die from a heart enlargement.
   • If your left ventricle is enlarged, you have an increased risk of heart failure. This is considered a serious case of cardiomegaly.
5. Have an enlarged heart diagnosed. Your doctor can diagnose heart enlargement in several ways. The first step is usually X-rays, where your doctor will look at the size of your heart. He may also have an ultrasound or a heart film (ECG) made if the X-ray does not show clearly that there is a heart enlargement. In addition, the doctor can have you do an exercise test and have a CT scan or an MRI scan.
   • The doctor will then perform tests to determine the underlying cause of your heart enlargement. In this way, the best treatment method can be found.

Method 2 of 4: Adjust your lifestyle

1. Eat differently. One of the most important ways you can reduce the side effects of an enlarged heart and help combat its underlying causes is through your diet. Eat foods low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. Also eat more fruits, vegetables, lean meats and healthy proteins.
   • Also make sure you drink 6-8 glasses of water with a capacity of 250 ml every day.
   • Try to eat more fish, green leafy vegetables, fruits and beans to lower your cholesterol and sodium levels and help lower blood pressure.
   • You can also ask your doctor for a diet plan that best suits your personal situation.
2. Sport. Try to exercise more daily. Depending on the underlying condition you have, your doctor may recommend different sports and exercise. For example, your doctor may recommend light aerobic and mild cardiovascular exercise if your heart is too weak to be overloaded. You can then go hiking and swimming.
   • If you are getting stronger or have to lose a lot of weight, he can also recommend more intense cardio training and strength training such as cycling and running.
   • Always seek the advice of your doctor before exercising or exercising, especially if you have heart disease.
   • Combining eating the right foods with exercise will help you lose weight, which can have a very positive effect on many of the underlying causes of an enlarged heart.
3. Get rid of bad habits. If you have a heart enlargement, there are certain bad habits that you should avoid or get rid of completely. Stop smoking immediately as this puts a strain on your heart and blood vessels. Also, do not drink large amounts of alcohol and caffeinated drinks, as these cause an irregular heart rhythm and strain the heart muscle.
   • Also try to get at least 8 hours of sleep to help regulate your heart rate and allow your body to fully recover each day.
4. See your doctor regularly. You will often see your doctor during the recovery process. In this way, he can keep a close eye on the condition of your heart and let you know whether your condition has gotten better or worse.
   • Your doctor will also be able to tell you whether the treatment is working or whether more drastic measures need to be taken to treat the complaints.

Method 3 of 4: Consider other procedures and surgeries

1. Discuss with your doctor the options for placing a medical device to treat your complaints. If your heart enlargement is causing severe heart failure or a significant heart rhythm disturbance, your doctor may recommend an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). An ICD is a device the size of a matchbox that ensures that the heart maintains its normal rhythm by giving it an electric shock if necessary.
   • Your doctor may also recommend a pacemaker to help keep your heart beating regularly.
2. Consider heart valve surgery. If you have an enlarged heart due to a malfunctioning heart valve, your doctor may suggest surgery to replace the heart valve. During this procedure, the surgeon removes the narrowed or damaged heart valve and replaces it with another.
   • The new heart valve can come from a deceased donor or be made from specially processed tissue from a cow or pig. You may also get an artificial valve.
   • Surgery may also be required to treat or replace a leaky heart valve. Also called valve regurgitation, this condition contributes to an enlarged heart. This is where blood leaks through the heart valve.
3. Ask about other possible surgical procedures. If your heart enlargement is caused by affected veins, you may need to have coronary stents placed or bypass surgery to treat your heart. If you have already suffered from heart failure due to your heart enlargement, your doctor may suggest surgery to insert a support heart or LVAD. This is a mechanical pump that helps your weak heart to pump normally.
   • A support heart can be a long-term way of treating heart failure and can be a life saver while waiting for a heart transplant.
   • A heart transplant is considered a last resort to treat heart enlargement. This procedure is only considered if all other options do not work. Getting a heart transplant is not easy and you may have to wait years for a new heart.

Method 4 of 4: Treat with drugs

1. Use angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors. If you are diagnosed with a condition that causes an enlarged heart, your doctor may prescribe ACE inhibitors for you. If a weak muscle in your heart has contributed to the condition, ACE inhibitors can cause your heart to return to normal pumping. The medication can also lower your blood pressure.
   • Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) are alternatively prescribed in patients who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors well.
2. Treat scars on the heart tissue with diuretics. If you have an enlarged heart caused by cardiomyopathy (a less effective heart muscle) your doctor may prescribe diuretics. This medication helps to lower the amount of water and sodium in the body and makes your heart muscle thinner.
   • This medication can lower your blood pressure.
3. Use beta blockers. If high blood pressure is one of the main symptoms of your heart enlargement, your doctor may prescribe beta blockers. This depends on your overall health. This drug stabilizes blood pressure, improves heart rhythm and slows the heart rate.
   • Other drugs like digoxin also improve the pumping function of the heart. This may help prevent hospitalization due to heart failure.
4. Ask your doctor about other medications. Depending on the cause of your heart enlargement, your doctor may also prescribe other medications to relieve your symptoms. He can prescribe you anticoagulants if he thinks you are at risk for blood clots. These drugs reduce the risk of blood clots that can cause strokes and heart attacks.
   • He may also prescribe antiarrhythmics, or drugs that keep your heart rhythm normal.