Causes and risk factors
The heart consists of four chambers two ventricles and two atriums situated to the right and left side. Hence there is right atrium and right ventricle and left atrium and left ventricle. The atriums collect the deoxygenated blood from the body and send it to the heart for purification. This blood is then through the ventricle pumped out of the heart to the rest of the body. It is mostly that the left side of the heart is enlarged as it has to work much. This type of enlargement is known as left ventricular hypertrophy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is another type which is seen inherited in family. The enlargement of the heart can be due to certain unknown causes. It is known as idiopathic cradiomyopathy. Diseases of the heart itself are the other contributing factor. Some of these conditions are coronary heart diseases, valvular heart diseases, mayocarditis and ischemia. A person with a previous history of heart attack and with high blood pressure are more prone for cardiomegaly. Certain other diseases like thyroid diseases, kidney diseases, obesity, infections like HIV and other viral ones can also lead to enlarged heart. Cardiomegaly can also be seen during pregnancy. Lifestyle habits like sedentary lifestyle, alcohol, Smoking and stress also predispose to causation.
Clinical presentation
The symptoms vary as per the underlying cause. The patient can present with variety of symptoms pertaining to various systems of the body. Some may remain asymptomatic for a long time period. However difficulty in breathing, swelling of ankles, irregular heartbeats and difficulty during exercises are the key features of cardiomegaly. Along with this the patient can come up with complaints of weight gain and fatigue. The abdominal circumference also increases.
Investigations
Diagnosis is done on the basis of the symptoms narrated by the attendant. The vital signs of the patients are monitored. A physical examination is carried out by the cardiologist. The following investigations and physical examination can also be done. Chest X ray, ECG, 2D echo, serum enzymes levels, routine blood test along with certain other investigations can be advised.
Treatment
The treatment plan varies depending upon the causation. Either medications or surgical intervention is needed as per the diagnosis. Medicines like diuretics, angiotensin inhibitors etc are advised. In cases of thyroid diseases thyroid hormones regulating medications are started. Weight loss measures, adequate and nutritious diet along with exercises are advised in cases of obesity. In cases where sever heart pathologies exist surgical procedures like valvular surgery, Bypass etc is advised. In severely complicated cases heart transplantation is recommended. Certain preventive measure like adoption of healthy lifestyle, taking a balanced diet, regular exercises, measure like meditation and recreational activities for management of stress needs to be adopted.
Other modes of treatment:
Certain other modes of treatment can also be helpful in coping up the symptom. Taking into consideration the symptoms in holistic way, homoeopathy can offer a good aid for the relief of the symptoms. The Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbs and synthetic derivates can also be beneficial in combating the complaints.
