Enlarged heart symptoms affect people with a condition known as cardiomegaly. It is picked up on a chest x-ray before diagnostic tests are performed to establish the cause of the enlarged heart. The condition may be temporary due to the extra weight caused by pregnancy or as the result of a medical condition.

Medical conditions that cause enlarged hart including coronary artery disease, weakening of the muscle, abnormal rhythms or valve problems. Cardiomegaly may not always be prevented, but it can treated. Medication, procedures and surgery is available to treat the condition.

It is important to detect the condition as soon as possible. If you present with any of these symptoms, shortness of breath, dizziness, arrhythmia, swelling, coughing or chest pain, you could have a enlarged heart. You should then get to the doctor right away.

Cardiomegaly occurs when the cardiac system has to work harder than expected. Many times this happens for no apparent reason. When this is the case, it is referred to as idiopathic.

Some of the known causes of a enlarged heart are high blood pressure and cardiomyopathy. Blood flow through this muscle is regulated by four valves. Valves can become damaged and weakened due to rheumatic fever, connective tissue disorders and infections. Rare diseases such as hemochromatosis can also cause this muscle to become enlarged.

There are several risks to a enlarged heart and they are dependent on the location of the enlargement and the underlying condition which is the cause. When the organ can't pump enough blood for the body's needs, heart failure occurs. Murmurs may also occur when the tricuspid and mitral valves don't closer properly due to dilation. This causes a backflow of blood and should be closely monitored by a doctor. If you have enlarged heart symptoms, you should visit your doctor right away as it may cause cardiac arrest and even sudden death.