Aa
Heart
I would like to know what causes a enlarge heart and fluid around the heart
There is normally a small (15-30cc) amount of fluid in the sac acround the heart which is called pericardial fluid. This is a normal finding. If there is a larger amount of fluid (100+ cc) then it is called a pericardial effusion. There are many causes of pericardial effusions. Some of them include inflammation of the heart or the lining around the heart, heart failure, malignancy and bleeding. If there is a very large amount of fluid, drainage with a needle is sometimes needed.
Pericarditis is a disorder caused by inflammation of the pericardium, which is the sac-like covering around the heart.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors :
Pericarditis is usually a complication of viral infections, most commonly echovirus or coxsackie virus. Less frequently, it is caused by influenza or HIV infection. Infections with bacteria can lead to bacterial pericarditis (also called purulent pericarditis). Some fungal infections can also produce pericarditis.
In addition, pericarditis can be associated with systemic diseases such as autoimmune disorders, rheumatic fever, tuberculosis, cancer, leukemia, kidney failure, HIV infection, AIDS, and hypothyroidism.
Heart attack (see post-MI pericarditis) and myocarditis can cause pericarditis, as can radiation therapy to the chest and medications that suppress the immune system. Pericarditis can also be caused by injury (including surgery) or trauma to the chest, esophagus, or heart.
Quite often the cause of pericarditis remains unknown, in which case it is called idiopathic pericarditis.
Pericarditis most often affects men aged 20-50, usually following respiratory infections. In children, it is most commonly caused by adenovirus or coxsackie virus.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some of the many causes of enlarged heart include:
Coronary artery disease - fatty deposits or plaques build up inside one or more of the coronary arteries (atherosclerosis). This constant silting narrows the artery. This reduces the oxygen supply, which is the fuel for the pump.
Cardiac ischaemia - reduced blood flow to the heart. This condition can cause heart pain (angina).
High blood pressure (hypertension) - blood pumps with more force than usual through the arteries, which puts strain on the heart. Causes of high blood pressure include obesity, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle.
Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy - disease of the heart muscle, the cause of which is unknown. Enlarged or ‘dilated’ heart is one of the most common types of cardiomyopathy. Some of the symptoms include chest pain and fainting spells.
Myocarditis - an infection of the heart that is generally caused by a virus. A person may have a viral illness first and later have symptoms of congestive heart failure.
Heart valve disease - for example, a faulty mitral valve allows blood to flow backwards, which means the affected heart chamber has to contract with more force than usual.
Previous heart attack - a weakened heart muscle may enlarge in order to keep up with the demands of pumping blood around the body.
Thyroid disease - the thyroid gland regulates many metabolic functions. Untreated, a thyroid condition can lead to high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, irregular heartbeat and enlargement of the heart.
Obesity - carrying too much body fat is a risk factor for high blood pressure, which in turn can cause the heart to enlarge.
Lack of exercise - leading a sedentary lifestyle is a known risk factor for a range of conditions, including coronary heart disease and high blood pressure.
Abuse of alcohol.
Untreated tachycardia ( idiopathic rapid heart rate).
Old age - as we get older, our arteries lose some of their elasticity. This ‘stiffening’ of the blood vessels causes high blood pressure,
Pericarditis is a disorder caused by inflammation of the pericardium, which is the sac-like covering around the heart.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors :
Pericarditis is usually a complication of viral infections, most commonly echovirus or coxsackie virus. Less frequently, it is caused by influenza or HIV infection. Infections with bacteria can lead to bacterial pericarditis (also called purulent pericarditis). Some fungal infections can also produce pericarditis.
In addition, pericarditis can be associated with systemic diseases such as autoimmune disorders, rheumatic fever, tuberculosis, cancer, leukemia, kidney failure, HIV infection, AIDS, and hypothyroidism.
Heart attack (see post-MI pericarditis) and myocarditis can cause pericarditis, as can radiation therapy to the chest and medications that suppress the immune system. Pericarditis can also be caused by injury (including surgery) or trauma to the chest, esophagus, or heart.
Quite often the cause of pericarditis remains unknown, in which case it is called idiopathic pericarditis.
Pericarditis most often affects men aged 20-50, usually following respiratory infections. In children, it is most commonly caused by adenovirus or coxsackie virus.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some of the many causes of enlarged heart include:
Coronary artery disease - fatty deposits or plaques build up inside one or more of the coronary arteries (atherosclerosis). This constant silting narrows the artery. This reduces the oxygen supply, which is the fuel for the pump.
Cardiac ischaemia - reduced blood flow to the heart. This condition can cause heart pain (angina).
High blood pressure (hypertension) - blood pumps with more force than usual through the arteries, which puts strain on the heart. Causes of high blood pressure include obesity, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle.
Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy - disease of the heart muscle, the cause of which is unknown. Enlarged or ‘dilated’ heart is one of the most common types of cardiomyopathy. Some of the symptoms include chest pain and fainting spells.
Myocarditis - an infection of the heart that is generally caused by a virus. A person may have a viral illness first and later have symptoms of congestive heart failure.
Heart valve disease - for example, a faulty mitral valve allows blood to flow backwards, which means the affected heart chamber has to contract with more force than usual.
Previous heart attack - a weakened heart muscle may enlarge in order to keep up with the demands of pumping blood around the body.
Thyroid disease - the thyroid gland regulates many metabolic functions. Untreated, a thyroid condition can lead to high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, irregular heartbeat and enlargement of the heart.
Obesity - carrying too much body fat is a risk factor for high blood pressure, which in turn can cause the heart to enlarge.
Lack of exercise - leading a sedentary lifestyle is a known risk factor for a range of conditions, including coronary heart disease and high blood pressure.
Abuse of alcohol.
Untreated tachycardia ( idiopathic rapid heart rate).
Old age - as we get older, our arteries lose some of their elasticity. This ‘stiffening’ of the blood vessels causes high blood pressure,
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
