Is mild cardiomegaly reversible?

Is mild cardiomegaly reversible?

In pregnancy, your heart is responsible for pumping your blood and the blood to your baby. The extra demand makes the heart work harder and enlarge. Usually, the cardiomegaly in pregnancy is reversible, and the heart goes back to a normal size a few months after the baby is born.

How serious is a slightly enlarged heart?

Potential health complications from an enlarged heart can include: Blood clots, which can block blood flow and lead to a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism (clot in the lung). Heart failure, if the left side of your heart is enlarged (left ventricular hypertrophy).

What is the prognosis of an enlarged heart?

Cardiac arrest and sudden death. Sometimes an enlarged heart can lead to disruptions in your heart’s beating rhythm. Heart rhythms that are too slow to move blood or too fast to allow the heart to beat properly can result in fainting or, in some cases, cardiac arrest or sudden death.

How long can you live with cardiomegaly?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around one-half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive beyond five years.

How is a mild enlarged heart treated?

Your doctor may recommend the following lifestyle changes:

1. Quit smoking.
2. Lose excess weight.
3. Limit salt in your diet.
4. Control diabetes.
5. Monitor your blood pressure.
6. Get modest exercise, after discussing with your doctor the most appropriate program of physical activity.
7. Avoid or stop using alcohol and caffeine.

Can cardiomegaly be cured?

For some people, cardiomegaly is just temporary and will resolve on its own. However, other people may have permanent cardiomegaly. It is vital that this symptom and the underlying cause of it are treated to prevent more serious damage to the heart. Treatments include medication, surgery, and lifestyle changes.

Can you live a long life with an enlarged heart?

The effect of an enlarged heart on life expectancy depends in part on the underlying cause. But even with treatment, many people have a downhill course. Most with severe heart disease die within a few years. The treatment for an enlarged heart also depends to some extent on its cause.

Is cardiomegaly curable?

Is an enlarged heart a death sentence?

Although it can be a severe disease, heart failure is not a death sentence, and treatment is now better than ever. When this happens, blood and fluid may back up into the lungs (congestive heart failure), and some parts of the body don’t get enough oxygen-rich blood to work normally.

Is it OK to exercise with an enlarged heart?

Exercise may reduce more than your waist size. It also may help shrink a thickened and enlarged heart. Regular exercise can be at least as beneficial as blood pressure medication when treating an enlarged heart.

Can cardiomegaly be reversed?

Sometimes, such as with athletes and pregnant women, cardiomegaly is normal and reversible, meaning that the heart can go back to its normal size. Other cases could be a sign of a serious heart condition that could quickly become life threatening.

Is there such a thing as mild cardiomegaly?

There are a variety of heart disorders that can lead to mild cardiomegaly. Mild cardiomegaly is generally not considered to be a disease of the heart, but instead the consequence of certain heart diseases. Understanding the cause of mild cardiomegaly makes management and treatment much more effective.

What to do about enlarged heart on chest X-ray?

The cause of the enlarged heart is rarely identified on X-ray. Often other tests such as an ultrasound of the heart called an echocardiogram will be needed. A specialist in the heart or cardiologist will offer further testing, diagnosis and treatment. Given the wide variety of conditions which can cause an enlarged heart on chest X-ray,

What kind of tests are done for cardiomegaly?

A diagnosis starts with discussing your symptoms and family health history. Your healthcare provider may order tests to assess the cardiomegaly and rule out other conditions. Some common tests include: Chest X-ray to record images of the chest and heart. CT scan, using X-rays to create a video of your heart and blood flow.

When to seek emergency medical treatment for cardiomegaly?

Symptoms usually don’t appear unless cardiomegaly becomes moderate or severe. These symptoms could include: You should seek emergency medical treatment if you experience severe chest pain and shortness of breath. These may be signs of a heart attack. Mild cardiomegaly is caused by either ventricular hypertrophy or ventricular dilation: