What Are the Causes of an Enlarged Cardiac Shadow?

During X-ray imaging, it is often found that there is an enlargement of the heart shadow, meaning the shadow of the heart appears larger than normal. The specific situation is determined through the cardio-thoracic ratio, which may indicate an increase. Cardiac ultrasonography can be performed to understand the size of various chambers and the status of cardiac function. There are many reasons for the enlargement of the heart shadow, and in this article, we will explore what these reasons are.

Heart shadow enlargement is typically observed during X-ray imaging, where the shadow of the heart appears significantly larger than normal. There are various causes for this enlargement, including hypertension, obesity, heart valve disease, coronary heart disease, and congenital heart disease, which can lead to cardiac dysfunction and myocardial ischemia. Once heart shadow enlargement is detected, specific hospital examinations are necessary, including electrocardiogram, echocardiography, coronary CTA, and coronary angiography. These tests can help identify the underlying disease and facilitate targeted treatment. Additionally, maintaining a regular diet, avoiding stimulants, and quitting smoking and alcohol consumption are crucial for maintaining overall health.

Heart shadow enlargement refers to an X-ray image showing that the size of the heart is larger than the normal range. This is specifically determined through the cardio-thoracic ratio, which is the ratio of the transverse diameter of the heart to the transverse diameter of the chest. The measurement of the heart's transverse diameter involves adding the maximum distances from the left and right cardiac borders to the midline of the body. The transverse diameter of the chest is measured through the internal diameter of the chest at the level of the right diaphragm. A normal cardio-thoracic ratio is 0.5. A ratio of 0.51 to 0.55 indicates mild heart enlargement, 0.56 to 0.60 indicates moderate heart enlargement, and a ratio greater than 0.6 indicates severe heart enlargement.

If the cardio-thoracic ratio indicates an increase, it is recommended to undergo echocardiography to specifically understand the size of each chamber and the status of cardiac function.