Cardiomegaly, or an enlarged heart, is a symptom of a cardiac problem. The primary illness can include a number of conditions, such as coronary artery disease or abnormal heart rhythms. Exercise is an important part of heart health, however, an enlarged heart is not an illness on its own. Whether exercise will help prevent cardiomegaly depends on a number of factors. Your overall health is a better guide and exercise may be part of that equation. You should discuss how exercise will improve your health with your doctor before you begin a fitness program.
What Causes a Heart to Enlarge?
Your heart is a muscle. Increased stress on muscles will cause them to enlarge. This is actually the basis for strength training. When you work out, you stress your muscles and the body rebuilds them to accommodate the increase in activity. When you want bigger arms, this process works in your favor. With the heart muscle, enlargement is a sign that the heart is undergoing a challenge and needs to be larger to deal with stress. The heart grows larger when it must beat harder than usual.
Advantages of Exercise
There is little doubt that exercise is good for a healthy heart. Regular physical activity will help manage your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Aerobic exercise increases oxygen flow throughout the body and improves your mood by releasing endorphins. Many cardiac conditions, such as heart disease, may be avoided by improving your fitness level. Some of these medical conditions can lead to an enlarged heart. Conversely, not exercising may increase your chance of having an enlarged heart.
Will Exercise Prevent an Enlarged Heart?
Not necessarily. An enlarged heart is a symptom and not all medical conditions can be avoided by working out. For example, heart valve disease may start with an infection or develop as a side effect of medication. Anemia is low red blood cell count. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. If your body is not getting enough oxygen, the heart will beat harder to try to correct the problem.
Symptoms of an Enlarged Heart
The earlier cardiomegaly is detected, the less chance there is that there will be permanent damage to the heart muscle. Some warning signs that you may have an enlarged heart include difficulty breathing, dizziness, swelling in your lower extremities, such as feet or ankles, a cough and fluid buildup in the lungs. Regardless of whether you think there may be a problem with your heart, you should have a physical before you begin an exercise program. If you have been diagnosed with cardiomegaly, do not exercise without your doctor's OK.
