An enlarged heart, also referred to as cardiomegaly, is not a condition in its own right, but rather a disorder that can occur as a result of a number of underlying problems. While the causes can vary wildly – such diverse medical conditions or disorders as thyroid disease, degenerative muscular disorders, and obesity can be to blame in addition to the more direct cardiac conditions like heart attack and high blood pressure – the effect is stress that makes the heart muscle increase in size. While people with mild degrees of enlargement may not notice any symptoms at all, those with more severe degrees of enlargement may experience symptoms up to and including heart failure, and should seek diagnosis and treatment from their doctors.An enlarged heart, or cardiomegaly, occurs as a result of the heart's impaired ability to pump blood throughout the body. The impaired efficacy of the organ causes it to enlarge in an attempt to compensate, putting extra strain on the muscle and potentially leading to further heart problems.
One of the factors that can lead to cardiomegaly is high blood pressure, which can be genetic, or caused by hyperthyroidism, obesity, stress, old age, or lack of exercise. An underlying disease or disorder of the heart can be to blame, as well; examples of such causes include heart valve disease or malformation, viral infections of the heart tissue (also known as myocarditis), prior heart attacks or coronary artery disease, and reduced blood flow to the heart. Other culprits include muscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy, which can attack the heart muscle in addition to skeletal muscles.
Risk factors of an enlarged heart can be determined by a review of a patient's medical history, and a diagnosis can be made with the help of a number of tests, individually or in combination. Some diagnostic methods include electrocardiogram, which measures electrical activity in the heart; echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to produce a picture of the heart; or even a simple chest x-ray, which shows the size and shape of the heart and lungs.
