Mild cardiomegaly, or an enlarged heart, is usually a sign of an underlying heart condition that needs treatment. It usually doesn’t cause symptoms, so it’s usually only detected during imaging tests.

Cardiomegaly means an enlarged heart. Mild cardiomegaly refers to less severe forms of cardiomegaly. This is a sign of another heart-related condition. You may not be aware that you have an enlarged heart unless you undergo imaging tests or experience symptoms of the underlying condition.

The earlier a doctor can detect the underlying cause, the better the outcome. Keep reading to learn more about mild cardiomegaly.

Mild cardiomegaly usually doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms. Symptoms usually don’t appear unless cardiomegaly becomes moderate or severe. These symptoms could include:

When to contact a doctor

You should seek emergency medical treatment if you experience severe chest pain and shortness of breath. These may be signs of a heart attack.

Complications of mild cardiomegaly include:

Mild cardiomegaly results from either ventricular hypertrophy or ventricular dilation:

Ventricular hypertrophy

In ventricular hypertrophy, the muscle that makes up the wall of your ventricle becomes thickened. Conditions that can lead to ventricular hypertrophy include:

Ventricular dilation

Ventricular dilation occurs when the muscle that makes up the wall of your ventricle is too thin. Conditions that can lead to ventricular dilation include:

In temporary cases, the heart enlargement may go down on its own without intervention. You’ll still need to check in with a doctor regularly to monitor your condition.

The difference between ventricular hypertrophy and dilation is that dilated ventricles can or cannot be accompanied by reduced function. Dilated cardiomyopathy has dilated ventricles and a decrease in the heart’s pumping function. The causes of the two conditions are similar, and if left untreated, ventricular dilatation can lead to cardiomyopathy.

You have a higher risk of cardiomegaly if you are at risk of heart-related diseases. Risk factors include:

  • a family history of heart disease
  • a sedentary lifestyle
  • hypertension
  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • history of alcohol or drug misuse
  • having a metabolic disorder, such as thyroid disease

Imaging tests are the best way to detect an enlarged heart. These measure your heart’s size, the movement of blood throughout the chambers and valves, and your heart’s electrical activity. Your doctor may order one or more of the following:

Once your doctor has diagnosed you with mild cardiomegaly, they’ll determine the underlying cause. Further testing might include:

Treating mild cardiomegaly varies. The right treatments depend on the underlying condition:

Heart conditions

For heart conditions, the preferred first-line treatment is medication. Your doctor may recommend different medications for the following:

The most common causes of cardiomegaly are hypertension and heart failure. Hypertension causes the heart muscle to become stronger, and you may need medications to help control blood pressure, specifically ACE inhibitors or ARBs. In the case of hemochromatosis, instead of medications, phlebotomy (blood removal) can remove excess iron.

Metabolic disorders

Metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and thyroid disease, can all lead to an enlarged heart. This is especially true if the conditions are left untreated. Being overweight can worsen the problem.

Making sure you’re up to date on your medications for diabetes and thyroid disease can help reduce complications like cardiomegaly. If you’re overweight, losing excess pounds can make a difference, too.

Lifestyle changes

If your mild cardiomegaly stems from alcohol or drug misuse, a sedentary lifestyle, or nutrition issues, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as these:

  • Schedule workouts on most days of the week.
  • Keep your daily sodium intake under 1,500 milligrams.
  • Reduce your alcohol intake.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Get adequate sleep.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables.
  • Swap out processed grains for whole grains.
  • Eliminate junk and processed foods from your diet.

Talk with your doctor if you need treatment for addiction. They can refer you to specialists who can provide additional assistance.

Temporary conditions

Temporary conditions that cause cardiomegaly may or may not require medical intervention.

  • Pregnancy: Heart enlargement resulting from an uncomplicated pregnancy may go down after delivery. Pregnancy complications that cause cardiomegaly, however, may require medications.
  • Infection: Cardiomegaly resulting from a viral infection may resolve on its own once the infection has been cleared. Your doctor may suggest treatment with antiviral medications.
  • Drug and alcohol use: Mild cardiomegaly resulting from excess drug or alcohol use may also resolve once you stop. Long-term treatment may be necessary for any substance misuse.

Mild cardiomegaly is not as serious in comparison to severe or moderate cardiomegaly. 

Treatment includes medications for underlying heart conditions or medical conditions, as well as lifestyle changes such as working out and eliminating junk food from your diet.

Yes, if it mild and results from a temporary condition such as pregnancy.

Mild cardiomegaly is less severe than moderate or severe cardiomegaly. But for all forms of cardiomegaly, the focus should be on the underlying condition.

Some mild forms are temporary, such as those caused by drug and alcohol misuse. Other forms are permanent and can worsen progressively without treatment.

Rather, your outlook will depend on the underlying cause of cardiomegaly. More severe cases of cardiomegaly could impact your daily activities, such as work and exercise. If there is no treatment for the underlying cause of mild cardiomegaly, your condition may get worse.