$Unique_ID{BRK00754}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Can You Explain the Origins of a "Large Heart"?}
$Subject{heart large causes blood pressure Circulatory cardiac hypertrophy
Left Ventricular Hypertrophies LVH echocardiogram}
$Volume{G-3}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Can You Explain the Origins of a "Large Heart"?


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QUESTION:  Can you explain the origins of a "large heart".  After several
tests, my physician has diagnosed this as the cause of my shortness of breath,
and he kept using the term to tell me why I must remain on my medications and
take them faithfully.  I have had high blood pressure for years.  Could that
have been the cause?

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ANSWER:  It appears as though your physician has been carefully following a
philosophy of patient education to help make you aware of your condition and
the reasons for taking your medication.  A large heart might be medically
known as "cardiac hypertrophy", where the muscle cells in the heart have grown
larger as a response to the need to pump harder to meet the requirements of
your body.  Just as an athlete's muscles grow larger with exercise, heart
muscle reacts in the same manner.  Your long standing high blood pressure is
most certainly connected to your heart situation, as the force needed to push
the blood through your arteries at higher than normal pressures caused the
heart muscle cells to grow larger (hypertrophy).  It is probable that the
chamber of the heart responsible for pumping blood to the body (the left
ventricle) is most affected and that you may come across the term "Left
Ventricular Hypertrophy" or LVH when your doctors discuss your case with you.
Of the many tests you spoke of, the echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to
create images of the heart, was the most helpful in establishing your
diagnosis, as an ordinary cardiogram (EKG) may sometimes miss this finding.
This is not a diagnosis to take lightly, as it may affect your longevity and
the quality of your life style.  There are many medications that may be used
to treat LVH, and they are effective and safe.  Your physician will be trying
to get you to lose weight, and will be paying close attention to your blood
pressure.  Your shortness of breath may disappear completely and your ability
to get about without difficulty greatly increased.  You must report any
episodes of chest pain, dizziness or irregular heart beats to your physician
at once, so that the therapy you are on may be changed to deal with any
situation.  This is a time for great cooperation between patient and physician
and the results can be truly rewarding, if you both play your parts to the
fullest.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.