A health condition in which the upper heart chamber is handling high pressure and too much blood is called left atrial enlargement. People who develop this disease often experience hypertension (high blood pressure), heart valve problems, and other heart problems. Doctors usually treat this condition with medicines, lifestyle changes, and in more severe cases, with valve repair or replacement.
In other words, left atrial enlargement is a medical term used by doctors to describe a condition in which one of the heart chambers gets bigger than usual. Commonly, it happens gradually over time when the atrium tries to adjust to other health problems (such as hypertension). Sometimes, people may have problems with the left ventricle (a heart chamber that pumps blood to the aorta) or the mitral valve (it sends blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle). As a result, it causes a large volume of blood in the left atrium. Furthermore, enlargement of the left atrium may also cause scarring and injury to this heart chamber.
According to some studies, this condition has occurred in about 12% of adults during a period of 10 years. Based on this information, doctors believe this is not a rare condition.
What Are The Symptoms of Left Atrial Enlargement?
Mild forms of this condition often do not cause any symptoms. However, people who develop a moderate to severe left atrial enlargement may experience the following symptoms. These include:
- Fainting
- Breathing problems
- Swelling in the arms or legs
- Weight gain
- Heart palpitations
- Tiredness
- Arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm) that may also cause chest fluttering, chest pain (angina), and other symptoms
Do not hesitate to see a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment if any of the symptoms listed above occur. Otherwise, it may lead to unpleasant outcomes.
Causes and Risk Factors
While this health condition can be present at birth (congenital), it can also be acquired later. Check the causes of left atrial enlargement below:
- Hypertension
- Aortic valve stenosis (also called a narrow aortic valve)
- Mitral valve stenosis or regurgitation
- A benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) tumor that develops in the left atrium
- Diastolic dysfunction in the left ventricle
- Athlete’s heart
- Ventricular septal defect
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Left ventricular failure
- Arteriovenous fistulas
While anyone can develop left atrial enlargement, the following factors could increase their risk even more. Check some examples below:
- Diastolic dysfunction
- Some types of cardiomyopathy
- Aortic valve disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Congenital heart defects
- Mitral valve disease
What Happens if Left Atrial Enlargement is Left Untreated?
Those who develop this condition and leave it untreated may also experience some complications. Check some of them below:
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) – This is a long-term (chronic) and irreversible type of arrhythmia that causes your heart to beat irregularly.
- Stroke and embolism – These complications appear because the blood cannot clot. These blood clots may eventually travel to the brain and cause an ischemic stroke.
- Congestive heart failure – This is another serious complication of left atrium enlargement. Commonly, it causes pulmonary congestion.
- Structural compression (also known as giant left atrium) – In rare cases, this condition compresses surrounding structures, which can cause dysphagia (swallowing problems), hoarseness, or respiratory problems.
- Cardiovascular death – The size of the left atrium often indicates the risk of developing cardiovascular problems and death.
The previous list does not contain all possible complications of left atrium enlargement. However, you can consult with your physician about measures to reduce the risk or even prevent them.
How to Prevent Left Atrium Enlargement?
It is not always possible to prevent this condition, but doctors may recommend some tips that will help reduce the risk. These include:
- Manage chronic health conditions (including high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, and others)
- Quit smoking – If you have problems with smoking cessation, discuss it with your physician.
- Limit or avoid alcoholic drinks
- Prevent left ventricular hypertrophy
- Physical exercise – You should aim for about 30 minutes of physical exercise, at least 5 days a week, to get or maintain a healthy weight.
Diagnosis
Commonly, doctors perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to diagnose this condition. One of the main signs of left atrial enlargement is an unusual “P wave”. It often represents that your atrium is contracting for too long. Normally, it should be shorter than 120 milliseconds. When it is not clear whether you have left atrial enlargement after an electrocardiogram, physicians may also perform the following tests to exclude or confirm this disorder. Examples include:
- Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)
- Heart MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
- Cardiac CT (computerized tomography) scans
Treatment
Healthcare professionals often prescribe different treatments for people with left atrial enlargement because they depend on some factors. These include the severity of the condition, age, gender, overall health, and preferences. Check below some options that are usually recommended by doctors for people with this condition:
- Regular physical exercise
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding alcoholic drinks and recreational drugs
- Adopt a diet low in salt
- Antihypertensives
- Surgery to repair or replace a damaged heart valve
- Anticoagulants (also called blood thinners) – This group of medications is often prescribed by doctors to prevent or treat blood clots.
- Medicines for congestive heart failure
However, the previous treatment options may cause some adverse reactions. Check some examples below:
- Myocardial infarction (also called a heart attack)
- Stroke
- Kidney failure
- Arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm)
- Bleeding
- Infections
- Abnormal electrolyte levels
- Fainting
- Dizziness
Immediately contact your healthcare professional if any of the side effects listed above occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to recover from left atrial enlargement?
The recovery time is often different among people who develop this condition. While some of them may notice improvements within a few days, others may need 2-3 months to recover.
How serious is left atrial enlargement?
In general, this is not a serious health condition, but it often indicates one. That’s why it is very important to visit a doctor if you suspect you may have left atrial enlargement.
Can you live with left atrial enlargement?
Yes, people live with this condition, but they should find out the exact cause of this disease to prevent life-threatening complications (such as stroke). Ask your healthcare provider if you have any other questions.
