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Can You Die From an Enlarged Heart?
An enlarged heart, also called cardiomegaly, usually results from another condition such as heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms or temporary conditions that stress the heart like pregnancy 1. An enlarged heart is generally treatable but can result in serious and sometimes fatal complications without treatment.
Cause
The heart may become enlarged because of an increased workload due to high blood pressure, heart valve disease, a heart defect, a thyroid condition, anemia, a heart arrhythmia, heart attack or cardiomyopathy 1.
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Signs
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While not everyone experiences symptoms of cardiomegaly, those who do report shortness of breath, dizziness, coughing and heart arrhythmias.
Complications and Death
An enlarged heart can increase your risk of deadly blood clots and cardiac arrest. An enlargement of the heart’s left ventricle can lead to heart failure when the weakened heart muscle and stretched ventricles cannot pump blood efficiently 1.
Diagnosis
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A doctor can diagnose an enlarged heart with the use of an X-ray, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), echocardiogram, electrocardiogram or a blood test 1.
Treatment
Treatment is essential for preventing complications and death from an enlarged heart. A doctor can prescribe medication, especially if your condition is due to a weakened heart. Heart surgery or the implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator in the chest may be necessary in certain situations 1.
Read more about how to reduce an enlarged heart.
- Treatment is essential for preventing complications and death from an enlarged heart.
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References
- The American Heart Association
- American Heart Association. All about heart rate (pulse). Updated July 31, 2015.
- American Heart Association. About arrythmia. Updated September 30, 2016.
- American Heart Association. Why arrhythmia matters. Updated September 30, 2016.
- Henz BD, Leite LR. Atrial fibrillation and cryptogenic thromboembolic events. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2018;111(2):132–133. doi:10.5935/abc.20180141
- Cleveland Clinic. Arrhythmia treatments. Updated on April 23, 2019.
- Kim W, Kim EJ. Heart failure as a risk factor for stroke. J Stroke. 2018;20(1):33–45. doi:10.5853/jos.2017.02810
- American Heart Association. Warning signs of heart failure. Updated May 31, 2017.
- Havakuk O, King KS, Grazette L, et al. Heart failure-induced brain injury. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;69(12):1609-1616. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2017.01.022
- American Heart Association. Understand your risk for excessive blood clotting.
- American Heart Association. Problem: Mitral valve prolapse. Updated May 31, 2016.
- American Heart Association. About heart attacks. Updated July 31, 2016.
- Sundbøll J, Horváth-puhó E, Schmidt M, et al. Long-term risk of stroke in myocardial infarction survivors: thirty-year population-based cohort study. Stroke. 2016;47(7):1727-1733. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.116.013321
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Conditions that increase risk for a stroke. Updated January 31, 2020.
- Collado FMS, Poulin MF, Murphy JJ, Jneid H, Kavinsky CJ. Patent foramen ovale closure for stroke prevention and other disorders. J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(12). doi:10.1161/JAHA.117.007146
- Whitehead L. The family experience of fatigue in heart failure. J Fam Nurs. 2017;23(1):138-156. doi:10.1177/1074840716684232
- Hauber AB, Obi EN, Price MA, Whalley D, Chang CL. Quantifying the relative importance to patients of avoiding symptoms and outcomes of heart failure. Curr Med Res Opin. 2017;33(11):2027-2038. doi:10.1080/03007995.2017.1355782
Writer Bio
Kristen Fisher is a freelance writer and editor with professional experience in both print and online media. She has published articles on a wide variety of topics including health, fitness, nutrition, home and food, and her work has appeared in "Connections Magazine" and on Lifescript.com. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in psychology.