Enlarged Heart!

Hi friends! I know I have not been on the site as often and I am completely behind on keeping up with people. I miss y'all so much.
So I had a question for my fellow pacers. How many of you have a enlarged heart? What exactly does that mean? I had pneumonia a little over a month ago and had my x-ray a week ago to discover my pneumonia is gone but my heart is enlarged. I have not heard anything else yet and the dr. said they would get back to me.
I started a medication this past week to treat my nerve damage. It's very odd being in a different state with a completely unexpected dr. looking at my case and telling me I should try this and that.
I miss each of you and pray for y'all often. I hope life is treating you well. Thank you for the continuing to support me on this journey.

Tammy

4 Comments

glad you came back

by joy1 - 2008-10-09 01:10:57

...but sorry for the resaon

Hi Tammy,
An enlarged heart, as far as my understanding goes, implies that the walls of the ventricles have changed and thickened in trying to compensate as a result of the heart being damaged. Viral illness can potentially cause "enlargening" or irritate a heart that is already damaged and therefore predisposed to enlargening.

My heart used to be enlarged but my last echo showed that my heart has atleast healed itself that much and has returned to normal size. Personally, I think it has something to do with the 2000 mg of Salmon oil I take daily. I have been using it for 2 years not because I was told to but because it seemed like the right thing to do. Now there is research coming out which is indicating that that dosage is beneficial as a therapeutic dose. Google these things and check them out.

keep us posted,
joy

mine too

by iraiam - 2008-10-09 09:10:02

My heart is "mildly enlarged", to quote my echo. I don't know why. I have read it could be because of my hypothyroid condition.

I have only had the one echo so I don't have anything to compare it to.

Thanks!

by tcrabtree85 - 2008-10-09 09:10:32

Thanks Joy for the info I will def look into it. Please don't get me wrong I read as many messages from my phone as I can but right now my energy level is a little down but its getting better so I can't complain. I have been a regular on this website for over a year and talk about my dears friends on here all the time. You guys keep me going without even knowing it.
Thanks for your knowledge. Have a blessed day!

Tammy

Enlarged Heart.

by Stepford_Wife - 2008-10-09 12:10:21

Hi Tammy.

Long time no see! He he. I'm glad that you are well enough to keep in touch occasionally. I hope you are adjusting well to your new environment.
I have an enlarged heart, due to Valvular Heart Disease.
I had Rheumatic Fever as a child.
There are many causes; below is a list of the possible causes. It may be helpful for those who wonder, as you do what causes it.
Take care,
Hugs,

~ Dominique ~


Enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) is not a disease but a sign of an underlying problem. It can have many causes, including:

High blood pressure
Heart valve disorders
Weakness of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
Severe anemia
Thyroid disorders
Excessive iron in the body (hemochromatosis)
Abnormal protein buildup in an organ (amyloidosis)
In some people, an enlarged heart causes no signs or symptoms.

Others may experience:

Breathing difficulties
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
Swelling (edema)
Treatment is directed at the underlying cause of enlarged heart.

This information is from the Mayo Clinic.

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