Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Is an Enlarged Heart?
Cardiomegaly describes a heart that is a larger size than what is typical.
It can happen to parts of the heart or the entire heart.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Your heart may become enlarged if you have a condition that puts it under a lot of stress.
It is a manageable, but potentially serious health issue.
The life expectancy for someone with an enlarged heart varies according to what is causing the condition.
That said, other factors may affect life expectancy, including age and your risk for other life-threatening complications.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an enlarged heart usually depend on the root cause.
Symptoms vary widely because an enlarged heart may be the result of various causes.
A family history of enlarged heart and a sedentary lifestyle can also play a role.
Complications
A damaged heart muscle can lead to stagnated blood flow, arrhythmias, and even death.
The ventricles generate most of the pumping force of the heart.
But most underlying causes will require treatment.
Some people also need implanted medical devices such as apacemakeror animplantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
Summary
The life expectancy for someone with an enlarged heart largely depends on the underlying cause.
Early diagnosis and management of the root causes of your enlarged heart can improve your prognosis.
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