May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Heart Disease Heart enlargement as a complication from a heart attack
Heart enlargement as a complication from a heart attack |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi, my husband is currently incarcerated and recently he had a heart attack, his second one, and they refused to see him and waited hours until the doctor was contacted. Now he has an enlarged heart. My question is...could the waiting for treatment be the cause of his enlarged heart? I would really appreciate a response, he is 59 years old. Thanks Kathy Dear Kathy: Given the fact that this is his second heart attack, his heart is not in perfect condition. It is very unlikely the prolonged waiting time period caused the enlargement. A heart attack happens when a major artery supplying a certain area of the heart gets clogged or ruptures; even if this can be treated promptly and the compromised blood supply is restored, the damage is already done. The ischemic or infarcted area (area w/ diminished or no blood supply), will eventually thin out and this can cause enlargement of the heart. Imagine a hollow rubber ball w/ a thinned out spot. If you try squeezing it, the thinned out spot will give and the ball would look deformed. As compared to the heart, since the heart is made mostly of specialized muscle, the ischemic or infracted area will thin out, and sometimes this area can expand to surrounding areas; the areas away from the ischemic area will try to compensate and its muscles will thicken. It will take at least months and/or years, not hours or days, for the heart to enlarge. Heart enlargement is one of the common complications of a heart attack. In your husband’s case, it is most likely a complication of his previous heart attack. I do hope I have enlightened you somehow and I wish you well always. |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 31 August 2011 ) |
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