Enlarged Heart
Discussion
OK, cutting a long story short, I was sent by the doc two weeks ago for a chest X-ray.
This mornign I went for the result. Basic story is that whilst my lungs are OK, there is evidence of an enlarged heart.
Doc didn't seem to have the time to explain exactly what this meant, but was more interested in convincing me I need blood pressure pills. I have known about raised blood pressure for several years, and have always resisted taking pills for it.
The question in my mind is what exactly does it mean to have an enlarged heart, and how do they spot it? There has only ever been this one X-ray, so there is nothing to compare it to. Also, what implications does it have for the future?
In normal life I try to get to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, think nothing of setting off on a 6, 7 or 8 mile walk, play hockey a couple of times a week, so feel that I lead a pretty active life. Are these activities something I should look at curbing in view of the news?
Like I say, the Doc was more interested in the pills.
This mornign I went for the result. Basic story is that whilst my lungs are OK, there is evidence of an enlarged heart.
Doc didn't seem to have the time to explain exactly what this meant, but was more interested in convincing me I need blood pressure pills. I have known about raised blood pressure for several years, and have always resisted taking pills for it.
The question in my mind is what exactly does it mean to have an enlarged heart, and how do they spot it? There has only ever been this one X-ray, so there is nothing to compare it to. Also, what implications does it have for the future?
In normal life I try to get to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, think nothing of setting off on a 6, 7 or 8 mile walk, play hockey a couple of times a week, so feel that I lead a pretty active life. Are these activities something I should look at curbing in view of the news?
Like I say, the Doc was more interested in the pills.
Thats fair enough.
But what defines what size it should be in the first place?
WE all have different sized feet and hands and other things. What says my heart shouldn't be this size?
And will it get smaller if the blood pressure goes down? Or is it permanently damaged.
I've tried google, but all I can seem to find is links to causes, not what to expect.
But what defines what size it should be in the first place?
WE all have different sized feet and hands and other things. What says my heart shouldn't be this size?
And will it get smaller if the blood pressure goes down? Or is it permanently damaged.
I've tried google, but all I can seem to find is links to causes, not what to expect.
Well I went this afternoon for the ECG that the doc suggested.
All the fella that did it could say was that it conformed what was already known. He says the trace will be looked at by a specialist and reported to my doc in about two weeks.
Someone else at work told me that excessive exercise can affect heart size, is that true?
All the fella that did it could say was that it conformed what was already known. He says the trace will be looked at by a specialist and reported to my doc in about two weeks.
Someone else at work told me that excessive exercise can affect heart size, is that true?
R300will said:
daz3210 said:
Well I went this afternoon for the ECG that the doc suggested.
All the fella that did it could say was that it conformed what was already known. He says the trace will be looked at by a specialist and reported to my doc in about two weeks.
Someone else at work told me that excessive exercise can affect heart size, is that true?
Yes i believe it can but i would hope that your doc took this into account before diagnosing you with an enlarged heart.All the fella that did it could say was that it conformed what was already known. He says the trace will be looked at by a specialist and reported to my doc in about two weeks.
Someone else at work told me that excessive exercise can affect heart size, is that true?
Like I said in an earlier post the emphasis was on getting me to submit to blood pressure pills.
Honk said:
The chest x ray is a bit of a blunt instrument when looking at heart size,the so called cardiothoracic ratio can be interpreted in a subjective way.the ecg is more of an accurate guide to heart size, specifically in this instance the left ventricle.It is likely your heart is showing signs of left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement) due to untreated hypertension.If ignored then over time this might lead to cardiac failure. If you have proven hypertension you would likely benefit from tablet treatment which might even reverse the enlargement process (especially so with regard to ace inhibitors).Hope this basic overview helps you. Aren't cars ace!
The biggest problem I have is that when I go to the docs my blood pressure is far higher than when at home. At home a typical reading on a home monitor is high 130's over mid 80's. At docs this morning it shot up to 172 over 103.What would happen if the dose of pressure pill lowered my blood pressure too much?
Well yesterday morning the quack had just told me that I had a heart problem, and it came as a bit of a shock.
Hence I guess that may have caused raised blood pressure.
My heart rate is always high 80's on the machine in the surgery. I did notice on teh ECG machine my heart rate was hovering around 70. Does it follow that raising blood pressure and raised heart rate go together?
Hence I guess that may have caused raised blood pressure.
My heart rate is always high 80's on the machine in the surgery. I did notice on teh ECG machine my heart rate was hovering around 70. Does it follow that raising blood pressure and raised heart rate go together?
essexplumber said:
What broought this to your attention in the first place? Or was it just by chance it was discovered?
Short version is....January I lost my voice, after 6 weeks went to doc.
Doc sent me to an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist, who put me on pills for acid reflux. Apparantly my larynx is very irritated
Since then I have been coughin up blood first thing on a morning (bright red, mixed with mucus)
Doc then sent me for a chest x ray
Chest X ray showed lungs fine, but this enlarged heart problem
I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure as of yesterday (home readings again show 146/87 which while higher than some folks I have been told is OK)
Well to generally answer the question I'm 40, non smoker, no known family history as such (Grandma died at 92 of a stroke, but thats a good age anyway), I go to the gym at least three times a week (try for 5 if I can), think nothing of walking 6 or 7 miles so consider myself otherwise reasonably fit and healthy.
With regards to a cardiologist, can I insist on a referral?
On the topic of the GP I find it difficult to actually get to see one of them. The diagnosis was delivered by a nurse practitioner (who I don't like anyway), so one step down from the GP. I have a relative who is ex nurse (retired through a bad back), who I have spoken to this afternoon. She was horrified that I have been prescribed blood pressure meds without any blood tests. Is this correct?
With regards to a cardiologist, can I insist on a referral?
On the topic of the GP I find it difficult to actually get to see one of them. The diagnosis was delivered by a nurse practitioner (who I don't like anyway), so one step down from the GP. I have a relative who is ex nurse (retired through a bad back), who I have spoken to this afternoon. She was horrified that I have been prescribed blood pressure meds without any blood tests. Is this correct?
Insanity Magnet said:
Wish I hadn't read this thread... I measured up at 187/142 a fortnight ago whilst playing around on a colleague's blood pressure monitor. A visit to the doctor confirmed that my BP was in the region shown on the BPM (evasive so-and-so hasn't confirmed the exact measurements) and I am now ramping up on Ramipril to get it down...
My dad died youngish from heart failure, and one of his problems was high blood pressure. I think I'd better have a chat about heart enlargement when I go for my next set of blood results next week.
Sorry for the result, but if the warning does good......My dad died youngish from heart failure, and one of his problems was high blood pressure. I think I'd better have a chat about heart enlargement when I go for my next set of blood results next week.
I'm hoping mine is a false alarm, maybe yours will be too
NDA said:
It sounds like dilated cardiomyopathy.... Not always linked to high blood pressure (that's a bit of a red herring).
The condition is caused by either serious alcohol consumption, or it's hereditary or viral. Those are the 3 main causes - viral being the least understood, some think dental operations could also be a cause.
It is controlled by a small aspirin dose, beta blockers and ace inhibitors. these taken daily.
As mentioned earlier, the heart is less effective when enlarged.
Get referred to a cardiologist and have your condition confirmed. An 'enlarged heart' is almost certainly the condition I've described. I have it, so am very familiar with treatment etc.
Go see a cardiologist.
Well sir, you have told me far more than my doc in that short post.The condition is caused by either serious alcohol consumption, or it's hereditary or viral. Those are the 3 main causes - viral being the least understood, some think dental operations could also be a cause.
It is controlled by a small aspirin dose, beta blockers and ace inhibitors. these taken daily.
As mentioned earlier, the heart is less effective when enlarged.
Get referred to a cardiologist and have your condition confirmed. An 'enlarged heart' is almost certainly the condition I've described. I have it, so am very familiar with treatment etc.
Go see a cardiologist.
The tablets thay I have been prescribed is listed as an ace inhibitor, taken daily. The doc said take at morning, the pharmacist said better at night, so who would you believe?
I guess if its alcohol that causes it, the simple answer is stop drinking?
NDA said:
As is often the case in PH, you are strongly advised to get a proper opinion, not off a forum!
Either spend a couple of hundred pounds and see a consultant, or get referred. What is your doctor suggesting to be the next steps in your treatment? It would be normal to be referred to a specialist to have the condition confirmed.
Thats why I have asked here.Either spend a couple of hundred pounds and see a consultant, or get referred. What is your doctor suggesting to be the next steps in your treatment? It would be normal to be referred to a specialist to have the condition confirmed.
The docs answer is simply take some pills, which is an answer I am not particularly happy about.
I couldn't get past the receptionist to get a doctors appointment (again), but did get the alternative offer of getting the Nurse Practitioner (who I saw Wednesday) to ring me. Told the receptionist I did not accept this. So got the alternative of one of the new doctors to ring me (practice recently changed to more doctors).
Just got off the phone from him, it turns out his area of 'specialist interest' is cardiac matters.
Explanation if I understood him properly is along these lines:-
1. The xray report is non specific, and simply indicates that the circumference of my heart is out of range for what would be expected for someone of my age, weight, general build and gender.
2. To correctly diagnose whether I have a problem, I need an ECG (which I went for Weds Gone). This he says will tell him/them what area of my heart is enlarged, which will then give a pointer as to what is the cause and what is the treatment.
3. My blood pressure is raised anyway, so the ACE inhibitor is not a bad idea in the interim while waiting for the ECG.
4. I must take the medication at a time when I am not going to drive or operate machinery, he suggested early evening, and must monitor whether I have faintness or pass out. This he said can be an indicator of a blockage in (I think I got this right) the left ventrical. This needs a different/additional treatment, he mention beta blockers or something else.
5. He did mention something myapathy, which is another possible problem.
6. He told me that the gym is not a bad thing, and certainly do not stop going, but he said be aware of how I am feeling and maybe cut back from 90 min sessions to 60.
He also mentioned things like furring of the arteries etc and did say he was talking worst case scenarios, but that really he would want to wait until the ECG comes back before deciding what course of action to take.
Is that reasonable, or should I be demanding the cardiologist route now? ECG will be another ten days, which I am thinking is ten days less on a waiting list.
Just got off the phone from him, it turns out his area of 'specialist interest' is cardiac matters.
Explanation if I understood him properly is along these lines:-
1. The xray report is non specific, and simply indicates that the circumference of my heart is out of range for what would be expected for someone of my age, weight, general build and gender.
2. To correctly diagnose whether I have a problem, I need an ECG (which I went for Weds Gone). This he says will tell him/them what area of my heart is enlarged, which will then give a pointer as to what is the cause and what is the treatment.
3. My blood pressure is raised anyway, so the ACE inhibitor is not a bad idea in the interim while waiting for the ECG.
4. I must take the medication at a time when I am not going to drive or operate machinery, he suggested early evening, and must monitor whether I have faintness or pass out. This he said can be an indicator of a blockage in (I think I got this right) the left ventrical. This needs a different/additional treatment, he mention beta blockers or something else.
5. He did mention something myapathy, which is another possible problem.
6. He told me that the gym is not a bad thing, and certainly do not stop going, but he said be aware of how I am feeling and maybe cut back from 90 min sessions to 60.
He also mentioned things like furring of the arteries etc and did say he was talking worst case scenarios, but that really he would want to wait until the ECG comes back before deciding what course of action to take.
Is that reasonable, or should I be demanding the cardiologist route now? ECG will be another ten days, which I am thinking is ten days less on a waiting list.
Edited by daz3210 on Friday 13th April 12:58
So basically after all the investigations it may be something that is perfectly normal for me? (Obviously based on my 'sporty' lifestyle)
I don't know if its any kind of indicator, but I wear a 'heart band' at the gym that links in with the cardio machines. I have seen my heart rate go over 155 without any ill effects such as chest pain, just a definite knowledge that my heart is beating fast (I can feel it beating when its at that rate). The cardio machines go mental when I push so hard, telling me to slow down since the heart rate is too high.
I don't know if its any kind of indicator, but I wear a 'heart band' at the gym that links in with the cardio machines. I have seen my heart rate go over 155 without any ill effects such as chest pain, just a definite knowledge that my heart is beating fast (I can feel it beating when its at that rate). The cardio machines go mental when I push so hard, telling me to slow down since the heart rate is too high.
Edited by daz3210 on Friday 13th April 15:42
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