Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy hearts day!

Cardiomegaly

Enlargement of the heart. Also called megalocardia.

Cardiomegaly is not a disease but a sign of an underlying problem.

It can have many causes, including:
High blood pressure
Heart valve disorders
Weakness of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
Severe anemia
Thyroid disorders
Excessive iron in the body (hemochromatosis)
Abnormal protein buildup in an organ (amyloidosis)

In some people, an enlarged heart causes no signs or symptoms. Others may experience:
Breathing difficulties
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
Swelling (edema)

Treatment is directed at the underlying cause of enlarged heart.

Diagnosis

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