What is cardiomegaly?

My uncle died at the age of 39 in April 1999.  An autospy was performed to help determine the cause of death.  After almost 5 months, the results were given to our family.  Under cause of death it stated:  undertimed, possible methadone overdose, enlarged heart; cardiomegaly.

My family and I were wondering excatly what cardiomegaly is.  We were unable to find it in a medical dictionary.  The only information I have been able to find is that cardiomegaly is hypertrophy of the heart.

Can you please clear this up for my family and I.  Maybe the defination to this word will help bring us to a closure on his death.  

Could the methadone of caused cardiomegaly?  He was also diagonised with emphazima.  Could this of played a factor in cardiomegaly also?  Please help.  Thank you.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear J Markowski,

Cardiomegaly means enlarged heart.  There are many reasons for this including coronary artery disease, valve disease and long term emphasema with progressive heart failure.

I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.

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