Cardiomegaly

[Heidi0328]

My 17 year old son died of an accidental drug  (Oxycontin and Xanax) overdose. Under other conditions listed (in the report stating the conclusion of the final cause of death) is Cardiomegaly. Is Cardiomegaly caused by drug abuse/overdose itself? Does Cardiomegaly happen right away (within 12 hours) as strictly being caused by the overdose or over a period of time (getting worse and affecting one as a disease might)? Is there usually, or does there have to be, a pre-existing health condition present that would cause one drug abuser to get Cardiomegaly and not another?  

[Tinasdaughter]

Cardiomegaly is usually seen after years of illness. At 17 years old your son may have been born with issues like pulmonary hypertension and some others. Your best bet is to speak to the coroner as he can give you what the heart weighs after death and what it should be in a normal 17 year old.  
With that being said, when respiration begin to slow down the heart is slowing down too and the person is unable to get the blood to the heart and it begins to back up into the lungs causing an acute swelling of the heart., then you can see pulmonary congestion.  So, assuming that the coroner checked out the heart and lungs thoroughly and there's no evidence of any long term disease. I worked in the emergency room as an RN for 35 years and have seen these types of cases many times. I am not going to understand completely how you feel but I can only relate to how you must feel..  I too am sorry for your loss and as a mom, I am just so blessed that my kids didn't get addicted to anything while they were growing up
One more thing, kids try just about any drug they can get and the drugs taken that "pump them up" tend to elevate the BP, again causing slowing of the blood causing back up in the lungs.  Has he used cocaine, methamphetamine,amphetamines or crack in the past?  If so, then the heart will begin to enlarge from those types of drugs in the past. Good luck to you and ur family.
Vicki

[bmdad]

I too am very sorry for the loss of your son. I lost my oldest sister a few years ago and although it was very difficult on me it seemed much more difficult on my parents. And being a parent myself I can't even fathom the thought. I pray that you are able to find peace even if it doesn't seem possible.

I have no idea about your question regarding the Cardiomegaly. Hopefully someone will come along with some knowledge about it. Have you tried doing a google search by typing cardiomegaly causes??

[my_mayberry]

i'm very sorry for your loss as well. i can't imagine how hard it must be on you.

[dominosarah]

I am so deeply sorry for your loss~~~~sara

[tired_of_oxy]

You know I'm really struggling here to quit oxy and today was really thinking screw it until I read this post. It was a grim real reminder that there is no choice here. I HAVE to stop or it will be my kids burying me. Oxy kills. Period.

[tired_of_oxy]

I'm so sorry for your loss. As a mother I cannot even fathom what your going through. Although I know that is a condition in which the heart is enlarged I don't know if the drugs would have caused it. The best person would be the attending physician who treated your son. I just wanted to offer my condolences and hope you get help in dealing with your sons death. No mother should ever have to bury their child. My heart goes out to you. May he rest in peace.