Enlarged heart.

[Jude1958]

Hi all.

I had my results, after I had a routine chest x ray. To my surprise I have an enlarged heart, also, lead AVL shows high voltage, which can suggest LVH. The letter to my GP suggested outpatient investigation. I thought my GP was quite flippant, she said that my breathlessness could be due to anxiety and has sent me for a blood test. Is this the normal procedure, I mean even if the bloods came back normal, surely I should still have an echo scan?

Thank you.

[PadThaiNoodles]

Just normal bloods, or did she include BNP? (An elevated BNP level can indicate that the heart is growing because it's having to work too hard.)

There's also the option of a private echo. (My insurance covers them so I'm not sure of the cost, but my understanding is that they're not too dear.)

[Blue-heron]

Hi JudeYour post jumped out at me as I've just been told I have an enlarged heart following a chest xray (for a virus/cough/chest infection that lingered).

GP has recommended echo though said waiting times could be up to a year! But optimistic it might be 3 months. Also getting ecg at the surgery next week.

Will follow your post with interest. All the best to you.

[Eeee13]

hi

I had enlarged heart show up on X-ray last Oct . It’s was because my heart had been racing for over a year to my knowledge and as a muscle when it’s worked hard it grows but couple X-rays since shows it’s gone back to normal. Heart rate is not quite so bad.

[Blue-heron in reply to Eeee13]

Hi, that's really encouraging. I know my pulse was "going like the clappers" according to one gp when I had virus. Keen to find out what the cause of enlargement is then I guess take it from there. Glad things are going well for you.

[Pouchielou1972]

I had symptoms of breathlessness and then had an x-ray which showed I had an enlarged heart, also an ECG and echo which all combined showed I had heart failure. My heart was working too hard trying to pump blood around my body.

[HHH2017]

Hi, I have an enlarged and badly scarred heart following heart attack & myopericarditis. I have yearly scans to monitor it. Blood tests are definitely useful and will form part of investigations (also will get quick results) but do push for the echo too as waiting list can be long depending on your area/hospital.

An enlarged heart may be working a bit harder so could be causing your breathlessness.

I suggest keeping good records of your symptoms, when they come on, severity, what you were doing etc as this will all help build a picture ready for diagnosis and possible treatment if needed eg meds.