Diagnosis, symptoms, causes, effects, treatment

Heart swollen or known in medical terms as ‘Cardiomegaly ‘It is a condition in which the measure of the heart is larger than normal.

This condition is not a disease, but it is a sign of more serious health problems.

An enlarged heart can affect its ability to pump blood effectively, thus affecting the entire blood circulatory system in the body.

This condition can be detected through scans such as chest x-rays, echocardiograms or heart MRI.

What is the swollen heart?

The heart is the most important organ in the body, working nonstop to ensure blood circulates throughout the body.

However, sometimes, the heart may experience serious health problems, one of which is swollen heart.

This condition occurs when the heart muscle thickens or the space in the heart expands

This enlargement causes the heart to work harder to pump blood, and over time, it can lose its ability to function efficiently. This can lead to more serious health problems such as heart failure.

There are various types of cardiomyopathy. The main types include dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic (hypertrophic) and restrictive (restrictive).

This situation is often overlooked because of its unclear symptoms in the early stages.

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Diagnosis

There are several tests that will be conducted to identify the true cause and level of swelling in the heart, depending on the clinical examination by the doctor.

Electrocardiogram Examination (ECG):

• ECG is an early test for most heart patients. It can detect changes in the thickness of the heart wall, the possibility of coronary blood vessels, and problems with the heart rhythm.

Blood test:

• Blood tests can provide information on the number of red blood cells, signs of infection, mineral salt content, and liver and kidney function.
• Blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and thyroid can also be detected through this test, as they are one of the factors that contribute to swollen heart problems.
• To detect a swollen heart specifically, test Peptida Natriuretic type B (BNP) It can distinguish whether the symptoms experienced by the patient are caused by the heart or other organs.

Imaging test:

• In addition, other imaging tests such as computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the heart are also possible.
• X-ray and ecocardiographic tests are a non-invasive examination for all patients, regardless of age. These tests can help doctors know the size of the heart more accurately.
• Ecocardiography is very important as it provides detailed information on the strength of the heart pumping blood, the movement of the wall muscles, the valve structure, and the size of the heart room.

Source: Daily News

SIMPTOM

Symptoms of swollen heart, or cardiomegaly, often not so ketara in the initial ranking.

Symptoms usually occur when conditions get worse and heart function is affected.

If you have some of the following symptoms, it is important to get a doctor’s examination:

• Shortness of breath: especially when doing physical activity or while lying down.
• Extreme fatigue: prolonged fatigue even after rest.
• Abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia): such as too fast, slow, or uneven.
• Chest pain: may appear suddenly or during physical activity.
• Swelling of the feet, ankles, and abdomen: due to fluid accumulation (edema).
• Dizziness or fainting: occurs when the heart does not pump enough blood to the brain.
• Prolonged cough or foam: may indicate the accumulated liquid in the lungs.

The main cause of the swollen heart

There are various factors that can contribute to heart enlargement. Understanding the cause is key to effective treatment.

• High blood pressure (hypertension): This is the most common cause. High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder to pump blood, causing the heart muscle to thicken and grow.
• Coronary heart disease: This condition occurs when the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the heart muscle are clogged or narrow. The heart has to work harder to get enough blood supply.
• Heart valve disease: When the heart valve is not functioning properly, whether it is too narrow or leaked, the heart has to do additional work to keep blood flow smooth.
• Cardiomyopathy: This is a disease in the heart muscle itself that causes it to become weak or thick. It can be caused by genetics, viral infections, or excessive alcohol consumption.
• Anemia (lack of blood): Severe anemia forces the heart to work harder to ensure adequate oxygen reaches the whole body.
• Thyroid disease: either hypertension (thyroid too active) or hypothyroidism (less active thyroid) can affect heart health.
• Other factors: obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, and drug and alcohol abuse can also contribute to this problem.

Adverse effects on health

Although this swollen heart condition is not a type of disease, if not treated immediately it will have many adverse effects and health complications, including:

• Heart failure: The heart cannot pump blood effectively, causing fluid accumulation in the lungs, stomach and feet.
• Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmia): abnormal heart size increases the risk of uneven heart rate, which can be life -threatening.
• Frozen blood formation: Blood that is not moving well can potentially form a clot, which can cause a stroke or heart attack.
• Surprise death: In severe cases, the heart is too weak to stop suddenly.

Treatment for swollen heart

There are several treatments to be given if you have been confirmed to have this heart problem:

• Medicines: The medication will be given according to the cause of the heart’s swelling. Medicines are given more to treat high blood pressure and control the blood vessels.
• Medical tools: If the medication is ineffective, the doctor will choose to help medical tools.
• Surgery: Surgery will be performed if the condition is worse and if the patient does not recover the medication given.

Ideally, if you have symptoms of heart disease, immediately to see a doctor to avoid worse conditions.

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