Cardiomegaly, commonly known as heart enlargement, is a disease caused by excessive strain due to an underlying pathology. Depending on the cause and symptoms it can also be a serious health condition. For this reason it is important to treat the underlying problem and create a lifestyle that focuses on heart health. If symptoms persist after trying to treat the condition with natural methods, you need to see a doctor (specifically, read Method 3).
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Changing the Diet
Step 1. Include more vitamin B1 in your diet
Thiamine, commonly referred to as vitamin B1, plays an important role in the function of the nervous system. Its deficiency can create problems for the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Beriberi, a disease caused by a lack of thiamine, can cause an enlarged heart, edema and heart failure. For this reason it is important to include foods rich in vitamin B1 in the diet to keep the heart healthy. Foods that are rich in it include:
- Beans
- Cauliflower
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Tomatoes
- Spinach
- Cereals
- Brussels sprouts
- Walnuts
- Lentils
- Low-fat meat
Step 2. Eat more potassium-rich foods
Potassium plays an important role in keeping the heart healthy. It helps to regulate the heartbeat and facilitates the contraction of the heart. If you have high blood pressure, a problem that can lead to an enlarged heart, you should increase its intake. Foods rich in potassium are:
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Bananas
- Dried fruit
- Spinach
- Avocado
Step 3. Reduce your sodium intake
Edema, a major cause of an enlarged heart, can occur due to too much sodium in the blood. When it is too much, sodium can cause breathing problems and force the heart to work harder. Try to eat home-cooked food, as it is easier to control the quantity than restaurant food. Some low sodium foods are:
- Fresh vegetables and fruit
- Fresh corn
- Fresh meat
- Egg
- Oats (not instant)
- Dried fruit
Step 4. Limit your fat intake
The level of cholesterol in the blood can increase when you eat too fatty foods. Furthermore, excess fat is a major cause of obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which greatly affect the enlargement of the heart. Limit your consumption to 5-8 teaspoons per day. Fatty foods to avoid are:
- All fried foods, especially deep-fried ones
- Fast food foods
- Packaged foods
- Processed foods
- Sweets, bread and pasta
Step 5. Add healthy fats to your diet
While saturated and trans fats (such as those found in higher-fat dairy products, processed meats, and fried foods) are harmful, certain types of dietary fats can boost good cholesterol levels and improve your health. Good sources of heart-healthy fats include:
- Vegetable oils and nut oils, such as olive, canola and sesame oils
- Fatty fish such as tuna and mackerel
- Avocado
- Nuts and seeds, including almonds, walnuts, and flax seeds
- Trans-fat free margarine (look for soft or liquid margarine instead of block)
Step 6. Add turmeric to your cooking
This spice contains curcumin, which can help prevent heart failure. It also reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels by increasing good cholesterol levels. It contains other excellent elements to combat the enlargement of the heart: polyphenols. These natural substances help prevent and cure it.
- Take half a teaspoon of black pepper and mash it. Add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and mix well. You can take this mixture three times a day.
- If you want, you can add a pinch of turmeric to any of your meals.
Step 7. Eat raw garlic every day
Contains allicin present, a substance that can help lower blood pressure. When the blood flows more smoothly, you are more likely to return the heart to its natural size. Allicin also helps prevent the production of bad cholesterol and facilitates the production of the good one, which improves heart health.
- Eat two raw garlic cloves a day. Use it regularly in your food as well.
- If you don't like raw garlic, you can take it in the form of supplements. However, keep in mind that supplements can negatively interfere with certain medications; So consult your doctor and read labels carefully before using garlic supplements.
Step 8. Drink lots of green tea
Green tea is packed with antioxidants that help raise good cholesterol, prevent oxidation of bad cholesterol, and improve arterial function. Therefore it helps to reduce heart ailments.
Add ¼ teaspoon of green tea leaves to a cup of boiling water. Turn off the stove and let the tea sit for 3 minutes before straining and drinking it. Drink up to three cups a day
Step 9. Increase your consumption of asparagus
Asparagus is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. This natural diuretic contains no fat or cholesterol. It also does not contain sodium, which can cause edema, a major cause of heart enlargement. It is effective in strengthening the muscles of the heart. Asparagus contains glutathione, a substance that improves the defense system and helps reduce blood pressure thereby promoting the treatment of cardiomegaly.
You can eat asparagus or drink its juice. To make the juice taste more pleasant, you can add a little honey
Step 10. Use more cayenne pepper in your dishes
It is a rich source of vitamin C, essential for collagen synthesis. Collagen, which is a structural protein, helps maintain the integrity of internal organs, blood vessels, skin and bones. It also contains selenium, an antioxidant that can help the heart function smoothly.
Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to a cup of boiling water and mix well. Drink a couple of cups a day
Part 2 of 3: Making Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Stop smoking
The chemicals in tobacco damage blood cells and negatively affect the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. This damage leads to atherosclerosis, a condition that causes plaque to build up in the arteries. Over time, the plaque hardens, narrowing the arteries and restricting blood flow to the organs.
- If in doubt, consult your doctor. They may be able to give you practical advice or prescribe certain medications to help you quit if needed.
- In the United States, you can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), a counseling service for advice and access to smoking cessation resources; in Italy it is possible to contact one of the many Anti-Smoking Centers (Toll-Free Number 800 554 088) to receive psychological and medical support or the most appropriate support for your situation.
Step 2. Reduce your alcohol consumption
Alcohol can raise blood pressure, which means that drinking it often increases the risk of developing heart conditions such as cardiomegaly.
If you have a hard time resisting the urge to drink, talk to your doctor about the support programs you can sign up for
Step 3. Ask your doctor how to manage a physical activity routine
Ask him for details before changing your exercise regimen given your heart problem. When it confirms that you can exercise, try exercising every day for a short period of time. Activity can help the body become stronger and healthier.
Exercise is especially important if you are overweight, as obesity can lead to an enlarged heart
Step 4. Lose excess weight.
If you are obese you have a higher risk of suffering from cardiomegaly. In fact, too much weight thickens the heart muscle in the left ventricle, a condition that can lead to various diseases. If you want to regain normal weight, you need to set up a healthy diet and exercise routine.
The healthiest way to lose weight is to combine a good diet and exercise. Consult your doctor about the safest way to lose weight based on your heart condition
Step 5. Reduce your stress levels
If you are tense and anxious, your body can be seriously compromised. If you have cardiomegaly, you need to avoid all forms of stress during the healing process. This includes both mental and emotional stress. Here are some suggestions:
- Practice breathing techniques
- Try yoga
- Try meditating, even if it's for a few minutes a day
- Try to pursue relaxing hobbies such as reading, gardening, home improvement, or taking walks in the fresh air.
Part 3 of 3: Recognizing and Treating an Enlarged Heart
Step 1. Understand the causes of an enlarged heart
This pathology can occur due to a variety of underlying conditions. Any of the following can contribute to this disorder:
- High blood pressure - forces the heart to work harder. To try to handle this extra work, the muscles become stiffer and thicker, causing them to swell;
- Previous heart attacks - can weaken the heart
- Family history of cardiomegaly;
- Heart problems which include defective valves, which place excessive strain on the heart muscle and consequent enlargement;
- Anemia can be a factor responsible for this problem, as there are not enough red blood cells to allow a regular flow of oxygen to the tissues;
- Obesity;
- Disorders of the thyroid gland which can cause various heart conditions, including enlargement of the heart;
- Some types of viral infection;
- Alcohol and drug abuse, especially cocaine;
- Kidney disease requiring dialysis
- Complications related to pregnancy;
- Certain genetic diseases;
- HIV infection.
Step 2. Recognize the signs and symptoms of cardiomegaly
Many do not show any symptoms. Symptoms may still present themselves if the condition progresses to congestive heart failure. Such symptoms include:
- Acceleration of the heartbeat;
- Shortness of breath;
- Chest discomfort
- Persistent nocturnal cough;
- Fatigue and weakness;
- Palpitations;
- Rapid weight gain due to water retention.
Step 3. See your doctor if symptoms occur
If you continue to have trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, palpitations and dizziness even after your efforts to treat the problem naturally, you need to see a doctor. Medicines that are commonly prescribed for an enlarged heart include:
- Diuretics to reduce fluid volume and edema. There are several types. The doctor will be able to prescribe the most appropriate one for your specific case;
- ACE inhibitors to decrease peripheral vascular resistance and help your heart pump more effectively
- An implantable defibrillator. It is an electrical device similar to a pacemaker, designed to regulate the heartbeat and help it restart if it stops beating.
Advice
- Limit your meat intake to no more than 170g of cooked lean meat, fish, and skinless poultry.
- Eat 5-6 servings of fruit and vegetables a day.
- Increase fiber in your diet by eating 6 or more servings of grains and muesli per day.
- Limit egg yolks to 3 or 4 per week, including those found in baked or cooked products.
- Always stay hydrated.
