An ECG done while you're having symptoms can help your health care provider determine whether reduced blood flow to the heart muscle is causing the chest pain. Heart structure changes. An ECG can provide clues about an enlarged heart, heart defects and other heart problems.
A chest X-ray can help show the condition of the lungs and heart. If the heart is enlarged on an X-ray, other tests will usually be needed to determine whether the enlargement is real and to find the cause. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick and painless test measures the electrical activity of the heart.
You may have a perfectly normal ECG, yet still have a heart condition. If your test is normal but your doctor suspects that you have a heart problem, he may recommend that you have another ECG, or a different type of test to find out for sure.
An EKG Has Limits
It measures heart rate and rhythm—but it doesn't necessarily show blockages in the arteries unless they are causing acute loss of blood flow to the heart muscle.
However, it does not show whether you have asymptomatic blockages in your heart arteries or predict your risk of a future heart attack. The resting ECG is different from a stress or exercise ECG or cardiac imaging test.
Though an enlarged heart may not go away, most people are able to manage the condition well with the right treatment. Don't be afraid to ask your healthcare provider questions about what's causing your enlarged heart. Understanding what's happening in your body is the first step in managing your condition.
An enlarged heart isn't a condition in itself, but a symptom of an underlying problem that is causing the heart to work harder than normal. Some of the many causes include coronary heart disease, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure and heart valve disease.
The thickened heart muscle can make it harder for the heart to pump blood. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy often goes undiagnosed because many people with the disease have few, if any, symptoms.
Tests for heart failure
Tests you may have to diagnose heart failure include: blood tests – to check whether there's anything in your blood that might indicate heart failure or another illness. an electrocardiogram (ECG) – this records the electrical activity of your heart to check for problems.
A coronary angiogram is a type of X-ray used to examine the coronary arteries supplying blood to your heart muscle. It's considered to be the best method of diagnosing coronary artery disease - conditions that affect the arteries surrounding the heart.
It could be a lung disorder, such as a blood clot to the lungs, known as a pulmonary embolism. Additionally, other causes of chest discomfort include spasm of the esophagus, diseases of the aorta, gastroesophageal reflux disease, musculoskeletal pain, fast heart rhythm abnormalities and costochondritis.
“It depends on the etiology,” or origin of the problem. With certain conditions, such as congestive heart failure, complete reversal of the enlargement of the heart may not be possible. But with other conditions, such as pregnancy or a treatable infection, a complete reversal of the condition may be possible.
Over time, an enlarged heart can cause serious health problems. Most notably, it can increase the risk of sudden death. In addition, it can cause fluid to build up in the body and lungs, which can lead to heart failure.
The majority of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have no symptoms and most have a near-normal life expectancy. In some cases, sudden cardiac death is the first symptom of the illness.
Mild cardiomegaly means that the heart is a little bigger than normal. It is a sign that something is going on with the heart—for example, it's being affected by a condition like high blood pressure. In some cases, a person is born with an enlarged heart. There are also some temporary causes, like being pregnant.
By itself, it's not a disease or a medical condition and doesn't cause harm. However, an enlarged heart can also be a symptom of potentially serious heart problems such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy or hypertension.
An enlarged heart can signal a serious heart problem or other health problem. It often means your heart has to work harder than normal to pump blood. One type of heart disease that can cause an enlarged heart is cardiomyopathy. This is a disease of the heart muscle.
Your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan for the condition that's causing your enlarged heart. For example: High blood pressure: ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and beta-blockers. Irregular heart rate: anti-arrhythmic drugs, pacemaker, and implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
Your doctor may suggest treatment with antiviral medications. Drug and alcohol use: Mild cardiomegaly caused byexcess drug or alcohol usemay also resolve once you stop. Long-term treatment may be required for any substance abuse.
An enlarged heart may have several causes. including high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. It may not pump blood effectively, which can cause congestive heart failure.
You may have tests to check if you have angina and assess your risk of more serious problems like heart attacks or stroke. You may have: an electrocardiogram (ECG) – a test to check your heart's rhythm and electrical activity.
An ECG Can Recognize the Signs of Blocked Arteries.
Since the test identifies anomalies of heart rhythm, impaired blood flow to the heart, otherwise known as ischemia, says WebMD, can also be identified. The electrical signals may be fainter or diverge from expected patterns.