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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
pacer and enlarged heart
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
pacer and enlarged heart
by Doug, Nov 12, 1999 12:00AM
My infant has a pacemaker because of a 3rd degree congenital heart block. She has been sick with chest congestion off and on since August. The family doctor in our hometown that we see say she has a weak heart. What exactly does this mean? Is it treatable? What causes it? (Could it be the medicine or being sick so long?) The family doctor has not consulted with our daughter's cardiologist on this and I was wondering if I should call her or should I tell the doctor to call her? Also, he said about her heart being enlarged and asked me about it because at birth she had a slightly enlarged heart. We were told at that time that that was normal considering the heart had to pump extra hard to get the blood flowing. He did a chest x-ray and the radiologist noticed it again. Should he be calling the cardiologist on this? Is this considered out of his expertise?
Can an enlarged heart be treated too if it is bigger than it was at birth?
Thank YOu
Can an enlarged heart be treated too if it is bigger than it was at birth?
Thank YOu
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Nov 15, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Doug,
I would recommend a visit to a pediatric cardiologist. It is important to rule out correctable causes of an enlarged heart such as a hole in the heart or a valvular abnormality. I would recommend an echocardiogram of your daughters heart if this has not already been done.
I would recommend a visit to a pediatric cardiologist. It is important to rule out correctable causes of an enlarged heart such as a hole in the heart or a valvular abnormality. I would recommend an echocardiogram of your daughters heart if this has not already been done.
