Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Symptoms
• Method 2 of 3: Diagnosing an enlarged heart
• Method 3 of 3: Reducing the Risk of Cardiomegaly
• Tips
• Warnings
• Additional articles

Heart enlargement, also known as cardiomegaly, can be caused by a variety of heart conditions. Although heart enlargement is often not accompanied by obvious symptoms, shortness of breath, a strong or irregular heartbeat, weight gain, or swelling of the whole body can sometimes occur. Heart enlargement is fairly easily detected using MRI, computed tomography, ECG, and radiography. If you have had heart problems in the past, watch out for possible symptoms of an enlarged heart.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Symptoms

1. 1 Pay attention to shortness of breath. An enlarged heart cannot beat as well as a normal heart. For this reason, excess fluid is not excreted from the lungs, leading to shortness of breath.
   • Typically, this symptom is most pronounced when you are lying down or are subject to increased physical activity.
   • You may have difficulty exercising or waking up at night with difficulty breathing.
2. 2 Watch for swelling. Swelling of various parts of the body caused by the accumulation of fluid is a sign of an enlarged heart. Swelling occurs for the same reason as shortness of breath: due to impaired blood circulation in the lungs, abdominal cavity and legs, fluid is retained.
   • With an enlarged heart, swelling of the legs and abdomen is most common.
   • Edema can be mistaken for weight gain. If you experience persistent and unexplained weight gain along with other signs of an enlarged heart, see your doctor.
3. 3 Pay attention to arrhythmias. Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. If you feel that your heart rate is often accelerating or slowing down for no apparent reason, this may indicate arrhythmia. Sometimes arrhythmias are harmless, but still worth paying attention to. The following symptoms indicate arrhythmias:
   • fainting or light-headedness
   • increased sweating
   • chest pain
   • dyspnea
   • Take a closer look at the arrhythmia you are experiencing. Arrhythmias are characterized by an accelerated or slowed heartbeat, irregular heart rate, and skipped heartbeats.
4. 4 Pay attention to chest pain and coughing. Chest pain is often a secondary symptom of arrhythmia. However, you should pay attention to cough and chest pain, as they may indicate an impending heart attack. If you have severe chest pain and cough, contact your doctor immediately.
   • Coughing up large amounts of frothy and watery phlegm (saliva and mucus) may indicate an impending heart attack, which is often the result of an enlarged heart. In this case, traces of blood may be present in the sputum.
5. 5 Pay attention to increased fatigue. An enlarged heart makes it difficult for blood to circulate throughout the body. Insufficient blood circulation can lead to fatigue and dizziness. In particular, with insufficient blood supply to the brain, a feeling of fatigue and apathy occurs.
   • Please note that increased fatigue is observed in a wide variety of disorders and diseases, so this symptom does not always mean that your heart is enlarged.

Method 2 of 3: Diagnosing an enlarged heart

1. 1 Get an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram is considered one of the most informative and convenient methods for diagnosing an enlarged heart. This is a painless procedure in which the movement of blood through the heart is detected using ultrasonic waves, and as a result, an image of the heart is displayed on the screen.
   • An echocardiogram allows you to assess the condition and functioning of all four parts of the heart.
2. 2 Get an electrocardiogram (ECG). An electrocardiogram records the electrical activity of your heart. This test is able to detect irregular heart rhythm. The ECG also helps to establish how much a particular part of the heart is enlarged. In this case, the electrical activity of the heart is recorded on graph paper.
   • The ECG provides information about the heart rate, rhythm, and any conduction defects in the heart.
   • If the doctor discovers that the width of the walls of the left ventricle of the heart is more than 1.5 centimeters, then this indicates an increase in your heart.
3. 3 Ask your doctor to order an x-ray for you. If your doctor suspects that you have an enlarged heart, they may refer you for an x-ray. X-rays will help him assess the size and condition of your heart.
   • X-rays will also help determine if you have an enlarged part of your heart and if the shape of your heart has changed.
4. 4 Ask your doctor for a CT scan or MRI. These methods allow you to obtain images of the heart and chest using a magnetic field or radio waves. These images provide valuable insight into the functioning of your internal organs. With the help of computed tomography and MRI, the doctor can detect small abnormalities in the work of the heart that could not be determined with the help of an ECG or X-ray.
5. 5 Pass stress tests. This test, also known as an exercise ECG or exercise stress test, records your heart rate and blood pressure while you are walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike. If the heart is enlarged, then it is difficult for him to cope with physical activity, so this test can detect an enlarged heart.
6. 6 Donate blood for analysis. An enlarged heart can disrupt the production of certain substances that are found in the blood. Determining the concentration of these substances in the blood will allow the doctor to find out if you really have an enlarged heart, as well as identify other diseases.
   • Among other things, the doctor will pay attention to the concentration of platelets and blood cells.
7. 7 Talk to your doctor about cardiac catheterization and biopsy. For probing, a tube (catheter) is inserted into the groin and then advanced through the blood vessels in the heart. A small sample of heart tissue is taken and examined. This procedure is usually dispensed with because there are other, less invasive and easier diagnostic methods.
   • During this procedure, your doctor will be able to see what your heart looks like.

Method 3 of 3: Reducing the Risk of Cardiomegaly

1. 1 Get exercise. Sports are recommended for most people with heart disease. The optimal exercise intensity depends on your age, body weight, gender, and fitness level. Talk to your doctor about the frequency and intensity of exercise.
   • In some cases of heart valve disease, it is necessary to refrain from exercise. If you have cardiomegaly or other heart problems, check with your doctor before starting exercise.
   • If you have not exercised before or are resuming after a long break, start with daily walks. You can start with short, 10-minute walks and then work your way up to 30 minutes.
2. 2 Maintain normal blood pressure. With high blood pressure, the heart is forced to work harder in order to deliver blood to all parts of the body. This can lead to expansion and thickening of the heart muscle, that is, an enlargement of the heart.
   • Talk to your doctor about medications to lower your blood pressure.
   • Limit salt and sodium-rich foods to lower your blood pressure.
   • Don't take diet pills to lose weight. These pills raise blood pressure.
3. 3 Consider possible illnesses. An enlarged heart can be caused by many diseases. The risk of cardiomegaly increases with diabetes mellitus, amyloidosis, and acquired heart defects. If your family has had heart disease, tell your doctor about it. You can also donate blood for analysis so that the doctor can more easily diagnose possible heart problems.
   • Pay attention to thyroid problems. Both insufficient (hypothyroidism) and excessive (hyperthyroidism) thyroid activity can lead to heart problems, including an enlargement.
   • If you have acquired heart disease, you may need medication or surgery. Talk to your doctor about the treatment for your illness.
   • Heart enlargement can be caused by anemia. Anemia occurs due to a lack of hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells), which carries oxygen to the tissues. The lowered hemoglobin level forces the heart to work harder in order to provide the body with oxygen. This can cause an accelerated or irregular heartbeat.
4. 4 In hemochromatosis, the body is unable to properly absorb iron. The accumulation of iron in the organs leads to their damage and weakening of the heart muscle, which causes an increase in the left ventricle of the heart.
   • Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan for conditions that can cause an enlarged heart.
5. 5 Lead a healthy lifestyle. Sleep eight hours a day. Set aside time for relaxation every day: walk in the fresh air, watch TV, read books. Dedicate about one hour of moderate physical activity each day. Limit salt, caffeine, and fat intake. Your diet should consist primarily of whole grains, vegetables and fruits, with a moderate amount of protein.
   • Talk to your doctor about exercise. Sometimes, with cardiomegaly, sports are not recommended, since they can worsen the patient's condition.
   • Try to go to bed and get up at the same time. Having a well-established daily routine will help you get enough sleep.
6. 6 If you have had a heart attack, discuss this with your doctor. If you have had a heart attack in the past, then you are at an increased risk of developing cardiomegaly.Heart muscle doesn't repair, so a certain area of ​​your heart will be weaker than healthy heart tissue.
   • If the heart has both healthy and weak areas, then healthy tissues will increase as they have to do more work.
7. 7 Refrain from drugs and alcohol. About 30% of all cases of heart enlargement are associated with drug and alcohol use. Drugs and alcohol destroy heart cells. In particular, alcohol abuse can lead to unhealthy diets that reduce the heart's ability to heal itself. As a result, the heart muscle becomes structurally weak and enlarged. Therefore, refrain from using alcohol and drugs.
   • If you are prone to using drugs or alcohol, see a psychologist or narcologist. A specialist will help you find out the reasons for your addiction and successfully cope with it.
   • Join a support group (such as Alcoholics Anonymous).
   • Do not smoke. Smoking significantly increases your risk of heart attack. People who smoke a pack of cigarettes a day are twice as likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers. Use nicotine chewing gum or a patch to overcome the urge to smoke. Reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke each week until you completely quit this bad habit.

Tips

• The risk of an enlarged heart increases during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the heart has an additional load, as it has to provide food for the baby's body. This can lead to a temporary enlargement of the heart. However, the heart usually returns to its normal size within a few weeks after delivery.
• The heart can enlarge due to certain congenital conditions. Many types of congenital heart defects can lead to cardiomegaly because they affect the flow of blood through the heart and increase the stress it experiences.

Warnings

• If you think you may have an enlarged heart, see your doctor immediately.
• The heart can enlarge due to damage that results from a heart attack.
• When taking medications, always follow the directions that came with them.

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