enlarged heart

[mark91723]

what does heart enlargement mean the doctor told me i had a minimal enlarged heart

[kenkeith]

You proabaly had an echocardiagram and dimensions of heart walls and chambers are an estimate, or even less reliable an x-ray.  To have a slightly enlarged heart viewed by an echo may be within a statistcal margin of error and put your dimension in the normal range.  Also, the dimension may be normal for you, and would require a previous reference to come to a conclusion.

It is the underlying cause for an enlarged heart that is significant and should be treated if necessary.  Ischemic heart disease with decreased blood flow to the heart, or there can be Infections, usually viral.

Chronic exposure to toxins, including alcohol and some chemotherapy drugs, etc.
Rarely, other illnesses, including rheumatoid arthritis , diabetes, or thyroid disease

There is hypertrophic and enlargement can be Inherited: sometimes present at birth but often developing in teens. Aging: associated with hypertension, etc.

Your medical history, symptoms, etc. needs to be considered before judging the significance of a slightly enlarged heart.  Take care.

[e.r.boy]

Hearts have an "average size" The doctor is telling you your's is above this average they deem normal. Hearts enlarge for two reasons. Number one is they are not happy and are overworked, and number two is rarely seen in elite athletes who stress their heart to extremes. There are medications that can slow or stop progression of an enlarging heart such as Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors. Rather than try to find out why it is enlarging, doctors will typically try to prevent further damage.Ask your doctor about options.