Heart Disease Community

Hi:

One would tend to think it's uncommon, or we'd hear a lot about that happening, and sometimes the heart can return to normal/near-normal size, mainly dependedent on the specific cause and the degree of enlargement.

In general-only here, various problems or complications during (on or off-pump) or after open-heart surgery may/can occur from time-to-time, which includes, but is not limited to, infection, inflammation, fever, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis, plaque and/or calcium deposit disruption in the aorta causing dislodgement, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, excessive bleeding, neurological/neurocognitive deficits (can be due from being on cardiopulmonary bypass, anesthesia effects or drugs administered during and post-procedure), vessel spasm, bypass graft occlusion or failure (one or more), phrenic nerve dysfunction or damage (dependent on the technique used to access the heart), which affects the diaphragm and breathing, stupor, coma, decreased intellectual function, brain attack (stroke), lung/respiratory problems, kidney dysfunction/failure, acute mesenteric ischemia/mesenteric ischemia, irregular heart/pulse rate (arrhythmia), heart block, metabolic disturbance, electrolyte imbalance, depression, and absolute worst case scenario, sudden cardiac death.

Additionally CABG is just a clever way of temporarily circumventing the problem (atherosclerosis), as it does not address the underlying disease process and what drives the progression.

Most important, CAD is a life-long unpredictable (which can exhibit periods of stabilization, acceleration and even some regression) condition, requiring a continuum of care, as well as good doctor/patient-patient/doctor communication and understanding at ALL times.

Best of luck down the road of life.

Take care,

CardioStar*

WebMD member (since 8/99)



-

-

Be well-informed

Health Central

Cardiac Enlargement: A Patient Guide

There are two types of cardiac enlargement: hypertrophy and dilation...

With the exception of exercise-induced enlargement,...

http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/patient-guide-44614-6.html

Enlarged Heart

Dear Doctor:

Once you have been diagnosed with an enlarged heart is it possible for it to go back to near normal size if...

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/askdoctor/enlargedheart.aspx

Enlarged Heart

SEE: Causes - Risk Factors - Compications

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/enlarged-heart/DS01129
-

WebMD

Living with Coronary artery disease (CAD)

A chronic disease with no cure...

This is especially true if you have had an interventional procedure or surgery to...

Recognize the symptoms. Reduce your risk factors. Take your medications. See your doctor for regular check-ups...

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/living-with-heart-disease

_ . _

For the primary/secondary prevention of heart attack/brain attack

Epidemiologic studies have revealed risk factors, which includes age, gender, genetics, diabetes, smoking (also 2nd/3rd-hand, inactivity, obesity, hypertension, Low HDL (now questionable, according to recent studies) high LDL, small, dense LDL, RLP (remnant lipoprotein), high Lp(a), high ApoB, high Lp-PLA2, high triglycerides, HDL2b, high homocysteine (now iffy), and high C-reactive protein (CRP/hs-CRP).

-

Quote!

Be a questioning patient. TALK to your DOCTOR and ASK QUESTIONS. Studies show that patients who ask the most questions, and are most assertive, get the best results. Be vigilant and speak up!"

- Charles Inlander, People's Medical Society

.

It's your future......be there.

.

WebMD/WebMD forums DOES NOT provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.