Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and heart enlargement are connected. AFib can cause an enlarged heart, and heart enlargement due to other causes can lead to episodes of rapid heart rate.
AFib is a rapid, irregular heart rhythm in the upper heart chambers (atria). This type of rhythm does not work well enough to properly circulate the blood, causing it to pool in the heart’s upper chambers.
Pooled blood can clot easily. If a clot moves out of the heart and into circulation, it can block a blood vessel in the brain and cause a stroke. An estimated
AFib is the
This article discusses whether AFib can cause an enlarged heart. It also looks at how AFib can affect the heart in other ways and lists other causes of an enlarged heart.
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Cardiomegaly refers to enlargement of the heart. There are two types of heart enlargement:
- Dilation: This occurs when the walls of the heart thin and stretch out, making the heart weaker and larger.
- Hypertrophy: This refers to a thickening of the heart walls that decreases its efficiency. A person with a heart that works harder for extended periods of time, such as an athlete or and pregnant person, can experience this condition.
Cardiomegaly is
AFib
In addition, AFib can also worsen existing heart enlargement.
AFib interferes with normal heart rhythm by causing the heart’s upper and bottom chambers to become out of sync. This reduces the heart’s ability to circulate blood and can also weaken and enlarge the heart.
In severe cases, AFib can lead to heart failure, which occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
AFib can also increase a person’s risk of a heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI). An MI is when cells in the heart muscle die because of insufficient blood flow.
A
Cardiomegaly has causes other than AFib.
They
- other types of arrhythmias
- coronary artery disease
- hypertensive heart disease
- heart valve disease
- congenital heart conditions
- lung disease
- viral infections, such as HIV
- infiltrative or deposition diseases, such as sarcoidosis
- toxicity-related heart damage
- autoimmune disorders
- systemic disease, such as anemia
- inherited heart conditions
- pregnancy
- idiopathic, or unknown, causes
The outlook for a person living with an enlarged heart can depend on factors such as:
- heart size
- co-occurring conditions
- treatment effectiveness
Treating any underlying conditions can help a person with cardiomegaly manage their symptoms. It can also prevent new or worsening complications.
Treatment may include:
- lifestyle changes
- medication
- surgery
Conversely, untreated cardiomegaly can worsen, increasing the risk of complications such as cardiac arrest and stroke.
Life expectancy
A person’s life expectancy with heart enlargement can depend on factors such as the severity of cardiomegaly and co-occurring conditions.
For example, when heart failure co-occurs with heart enlargement, the estimated
The cause of heart enlargement may also affect the outcome.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition in which the left ventricle muscle becomes too thick to effectively pump blood. HCM can lead to heart enlargement.
In most cases, people with HCM can have a
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is another cause of an enlarged heart. It affects the ventricles and can lead to heart failure. DCM has a mortality rate of
However, early and successful treatment of cardiomegaly and its underlying condition can mean that mild heart enlargement has minimal impact on life expectancy.
It is important for people to speak with a healthcare professional to understand the cause of their heart enlargement and reduce their risk of complications.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that heart failure affects about
AFib can lead to heart failure. This is because the rapid and irregular heart rhythm of AFib affects the heart’s ability to adequately pump blood, and it may result in inadequate circulation in the body.
Heart failure
AFib can both cause and result from cardiomegaly. It can also cause other heart issues like heart failure.
AFib isn’t the only cause of heart enlargement. Others include heart and lung disease, infections, and toxicity-related heart damage.
The outlook and life expectancy for a person with cardiomegaly can vary based on the severity of the condition and the presence of other health conditions. Treatment of underlying conditions can stabilize cardiomegaly symptoms and prevent new complications.
Symptoms of heart failure due to AFib include shortness of breath, edema, and fatigue.