Too much fat in the body can cause some medical challenges. In some cases, this excess can lead to obesity. The major concern about obesity is the effect on the heart. But does obesity cause an enlarged heart? This post will provide all available evidence, symptoms of an enlarged heart, and prevention tips.
The heart is a vital organ in the human body; its function is to distribute blood throughout the body. This organ beats about 100,000 times a day; whenever there is a blockage in the heart, it means our organs would rapidly stop functioning.
The tissue surrounding the heart functions as pericardial fat. Pericardial fat exists as adipose tissue near the heart muscle. A normal amount of pericardial fat exists to protect your heart, but large quantities should spark medical attention.
The amount of pericardial fat directly relates to visceral fat. Medical research indicates that elevated visceral fat cell levels create greater danger for heart disease together with type 2 diabetes and multiple chronic illnesses.
Common causes of an enlarged heart
- High blood pressure alongside heart valve disease or preexisting heart attack episodes serves as different causes that can cause heart enlargement.
- Higher blood pressure without treatment can also make the heart expand because it will force the heart to work harder and become enlarged.
- Ear disease of the heart valves, particularly aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation, leads to heart enlargement because damaged valves prevent proper heart functioning while causing the heart to compensate through enlargement.
- A previous heart attack can cause heart muscle weakness that leads to heart enlargement because the pumping system must compensate for blood flow efficiency.
- Heart enlargement as a result happens when people weigh too much, consume too much alcohol, or use particular medications.
What Is an Enlarged Heart?
Cardiomegaly is the medical condition of an enlarged heart. It is a condition where the human heart develops an abnormal size, which becomes larger than its normal size. Heart enlargement results from several different medical causes, like high blood pressure, heart valve disease, and cardiomyopathy.
An enlarged heart reduces blood pumping efficiency and causes patients to experience shortness of breath and fatigue with added swelling in their legs and abdomen. A heart that grows in size does not necessarily indicate a critical medical problem.
How Obesity Affects the Heart
Obesity and heart health go hand in hand, but not in a good way. When you carry excess weight, your heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout your body. This extra workload can lead to high blood pressure and, in addition, can damage your arteries and increase the chances of getting a heart disease.
In addition, obesity is associated with unhealthy eating habits, which can lead to high cholesterol levels and plaque buildup in your arteries. This can eventually block blood flow to your heart, causing a heart attack or stroke.
In addition, excess body fat can lead to inflammation in the body, which can further strain the heart and increase your risk of heart disease.
Does Obesity Cause An Enlarged Heart?
Have you ever wondered if obesity can cause an enlarged heart? The answer is YES. Carrying excess weight puts extra strain on the heart, causing it to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This can make the muscles of the heart thicker; there by make the heart increase in size.
According to research, obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease, and an enlarged heart is a common complication of this condition. However, it’s important to note that not all cases of obesity will necessarily lead to an enlarged heart.
When the body carries additional weight, it expands, creates more challenges for the heart to function well during each pump cycle. Muscle forms the majority of heart tissue; so, long-term intense labor harms its structure. The enlargement of muscle occurs in this process. The condition known as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) then appears through heart muscle enlargement on the left side of the heart.
Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help prevent the development of heart disease and reduce risk like an enlarged heart. So, if you’re concerned about the health of your heart, make sure that you maintain a healthy weight.
Symptoms of an Enlarged Heart
- Shortness of breath, which occurs after light physical activities.
- Swelling on some parts of the body like the legs and ankles.
- Constant tiredness.
- Irregular heart patterns.
- Heart discomfort or pain that appears during normal activity.
Treatment for an Enlarged Heart
People with an enlarged heart resulting from obesity have access to two main treatment options. They include: weight loss and diet improvement and medications.
Doctors will prescribe medications to treat patients with high blood pressure along with cholesterol problems and heart issues. Severe cases of heart enlargement often need medical procedures like surgery.
The condition of an enlarged heart can return to its normal state. While some instances do show recovery of heart enlargement to a normal condition, doctors suggest that this is possible under specific conditions. The success of returning to a normal heart depends on specific factors, such as treatment approach, causes and adjustments to lifestyle habits.
However, certain factors help reverts an enlarged heart to its normal state. Patients must ensure that they eat healthy diets, exercise regularly, avoid fried foods, and make sure that they drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.
The Connection Between Obesity And The Heart
Unhealthy body fat in the body leads to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes, which can affect the heart. When the heart is not functioning normal, it will need the heart to work more to pump blood through your body.
People who are obese face an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, which leads to an irregular heart rhythm. Overeating, a sedentary lifestyle remains the principal factor that leads to weight gain, while there are other elements that contributes to obesity. Genetics, hormonal imbalances, psychological issues, and specific medications, contribute to a person’s weight gain.
How to reduce fat around the heart?
Too much fat around the heart area is not healthy. So, if you think you have excess fat in this region, here are things you can do to reduce fat around your heart:
- Reduce too much-processed foods and sugary drinks.
- Take more fruits and vegetables.
- Do regular exercise.
- Apply sleep and stress management technique.
- Include healthy fats like avocado and nuts in your diet.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Consider adding supplements like omega-3 fatty acids.
- Drink enough water
FAQS
Q: Does obesity cause an enlarged heart?
A: Yes, obesity can cause an enlarged heart.
Q: How does obesity lead to an enlarged heart?
A: Excess weight puts added strain on the heart, causing it to work harder and grow larger.
Q: Is an enlarged heart dangerous?
A: Yes, an enlarged heart can lead to serious health complications, like heart failure.
Q: Can losing weight help reduce the size of an enlarged heart?
A: Yes, losing weight can help decrease the strain on the heart and therey reduce its size.
Q: Are there other health risks associated with obesity and an enlarged heart?
A: Obesity and an enlarged heart can lead to cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
Q: What steps can one take to prevent or manage an enlarged heart caused by obesity?
A: To manage an enlarged heart, the person must ensure that they maintain a healthy weight, eat a proper diet, exercise, quit smoking, etc.
Conclusion
Obesity can cause an enlarged heart. The excess weight puts strain on the heart, this pressure makes it work harder by so doing, it increases in size. Take note that the increase can also cause other health complications. It is vital for individuals struggling with obesity to see a doctor and make lifestyle changes.
