An enlarged heart, also known as cardiomegaly, is a condition with a number of causes, according to the Better Health Channel. It comes in both asymptomatic and symptomatic forms, and has been linked with negative heart events, such as fluid retention, irregular heartbeat and unusual palpitations. Among the many causes of an enlarged heart are the use of certain medications.
Medications Causing High Blood Pressure
MayoClinic.com notes that high blood pressure can result in enlargement of the heart as the muscle needs to work harder to move blood through the body. As a result, medications that have the side effect of increased blood pressure can influence the size of the heart.
Thyroid-regulating Medications
Better Health Channel notes that thyroid gland treatments can have an impact on the size of the heart. MayoClinic.com links both an underactive and overactive thyroid with enlargement of the heart. Medications that influence thyroid levels in the body are therefore potential triggers for an enlarged heart.
Medications Causing Low Red Blood Cell Counts
Low red blood cell counts are linked by MayoClinic.com to an enlarged heart. The low level of oxygen in the blood from a low red blood cell count forces the heart to work harder to maintain oxygen levels in the extremities. This increases the size of the heart.
Heavy Metal Supplements
Iron supplements can cause elevated iron levels in the body resulting in an enlarged heart, according to MayoClinic.com. This is especially true in regard to the left ventricle. MedlinePlus notes that elevated levels of other heavy metals from natural buildup or supplementation are linked to an enlarged heart due to their connection to the development of myocarditis, a serious heart infection.
