cardiomegaly causes

Posted By Cheryl on January 04, 1999 at 11:22:54:







On a recent echo my doctor discovered I had slight enlargment of the heart muscle
(cardiomegaly).  I am about 70 lbs. overweight.  He wants me to lose weight to
see if the extra weight caused the heart to enlarge before he diagnoses any
kind of cardiomyopathy.  He also told me to avoid strenuous exercise.  I got a
respiratory virus about 4 or 5 years ago and was hospitalized for a week.  During
that time I was given large doses of steroids and antibiotics.  I also had
an episode of attrial fibrillation which was caught by the doctor and had an
echo done at that time (my first).  It showed mitral valve prolapse.  I also have
an irregular heartbeat.  I think the steroids aggravate it (my opinion).  Ever since
that time, I have had asthma and have had 2 other hospitalizations.  I can't find
anything on the Internet to indicate that being 70 lbs. overweight can cause
cardiomegaly.  I'm really rather worried that this might be cardiomyopathy, especially
since heart disease runs in my family (grandparents and others).  Any information
you can offer would be so appreciated.