The human body is blessed with various organs which have an important role in supporting survival, one of which is the heart. The heart is an organ located in the middle of the chest and acts as the pumping center in the human circulatory system. Its main function is to pump blood throughout the body, supply oxygen and nutrients to cells, and collect blood that has lost oxygen back from the body and then pump it to the lungs for the gas exchange process. As an important organ, the heart is also susceptible to abnormalities in its function.
What is heart swelling?
Heart swelling or in medical terms known as cardiomegaly is not a disease, but is a sign of another condition experienced by the body. The term "cardiomegaly" refers to an enlarged heart that can be detected or seen by several tests, including a chest X-ray. Next, other tests are needed to diagnose the conditions that cause heart enlargement.
Heart swelling can be caused by various things and can be permanent or temporary. Management of heart inflammation includes drugs, medical procedures or surgery which will be adjusted to the cause or underlying disease and also the patient's condition.
Swollen Heart Symptoms
In some people an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) does not cause signs or symptoms, but in other people there may be signs and symptoms of cardiomegaly, including:
- Shortness of breath, especially when lying down
- Woke up with shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Swelling in the abdomen or legs
Causes of Heart Swelling
Various conditions including abnormalities in the heart or outside the heart can cause heart swelling, including:
- Congenital/congenital heart defects
- Heart damage due to heart attack
- Heart muscle disease/cardiomyopathy
- Accumulation of fluid in the sac covering the heart/pericardial effusion
- Heart valve abnormalities
- High blood pressure/hypertension
- Increased pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs/pulmonary hypertension
- Anemia
- Thyroid gland disease
- Long-term, high-intensity physical exercise (“athletes” heart)
- Fat buildup on the outer walls of the heart
What is the right action to treat heart swelling?
Before it escalates to a more severe level, it would be better if a swollen heart is treated immediately with a medical professional. Action steps or treatment for heart swelling will differ according to each patient's condition. For this reason, patients who experience heart inflammation are advised to consult further with a heart specialist to determine the patient's condition and determine the most appropriate steps for treatment.
It is important to always understand the causes and how to treat heart swelling appropriately. Consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and specific treatment plan according to individual needs. Engaging in a healthy lifestyle, a healthy diet and avoiding smoking and alcoholic beverages can help prevent heart inflammation to improve overall quality of life. Remember, proper prevention and treatment steps can make a big difference in your heart health.
Article written by dr. Nancy Virginia, Sp.JP, FIHA (Heart and Blood Vessel Specialist at EMC Pekayon Hospital).