Re: Cardiomegaly

Posted By Jillian on December 06, 1998 at 15:25:05:

In Reply to: Re: Cardiomegaly posted by CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on December 05, 1998 at 16:04:42:






My sister-in-law died last night, and the cause of death was cardiomegaly.  There was a history of it in her mother (still alive and on medication), and her grandmother (died some years ago of heart failure).  She was 29 years old, with a history of hypertension and borderline diabetes (diet controlled).  
I don't know much about cardiomegaly, other than the literal meaning of the word.  
I'm wondering why, with a family history, and physicals and checkups every 3 months, the doctors never either checked her for this condition or found it.  I'm interested in any information I can get on this condition.  Thank you.






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Dear Kevin,
Thank you for your question. My condolences on the death of your sister-in-law.  Basically cardiomyopathy is a "weakness" of the heart muscle that can be due to ischemia (lack of blood flow - the most common), viral (more common in young people),  idiopathic (unknown cause but probably viral) and several rare conditions.  It is usually diagnosed by history and an echocardiogram.  Occasionally a heart muscle biopsy is performed.  It may not be easy to predict or diagnosis prior to the onset.
Symptoms are shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, chest discomfort and palpitations and increased fatigue.  Treatment is usually medical and in severe cases heart transplant.  About a third of patients get worse and do not survive unless they have a heart transplant.  Another third stay the same and are managed well with medical therapy and the rest get better.  
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.