An enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) means the heart has grown bigger than normal, often because it's working harder than it should. This can happen due to conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), where the heart muscle thickens, or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), where the heart stretches and weakens.
Common symptoms Show Full Answer
An enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) means the heart has grown bigger than normal, often because it's working harder than it should. This can happen due to conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), where the heart muscle thickens, or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), where the heart stretches and weakens.
Common symptoms can include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during activity
- Chest pain or tightness
- Dizziness or fainting
- Heart palpitations (fluttering or pounding heartbeat)
- Fatigue or weakness
Some people have no symptoms at all, especially in the early stages. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and how severe the condition is. Here's a general overview:
- Medications — Often the first step. Options may include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, or newer drugs like mavacamten (Camzyos)
- Implantable devices — Such as an ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) to manage dangerous heart rhythms, or a pacemaker to help the heart beat more efficiently
- Surgery — Options like septal myectomy (removing thickened muscle) or alcohol septal ablation may be recommended if medications aren't enough
- Cardiac rehabilitation — Exercise-based programs that can improve symptoms and reduce the risk of future cardiac events
- Lifestyle changes — Managing weight, quitting smoking, and improving sleep can all support heart health
- Heart transplant — Considered in the most severe cases when other treatments haven't worked
It's really important to work closely with a cardiologist to find the right combination of treatments for your specific situation. Everyone's heart is different, and what works well for one person may not be the best fit for another.
May 10
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