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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Cardiomegaly and Cardiomyopathy?

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Cardiomegaly and cardiomyopathy are both related to the heart, but they have distinct differences:

  • Cardiomegaly refers to an abnormal enlargement of the heart, which can be caused by various conditions, including heart damage, certain types of heart disease, or even short-term stress on the body, such as pregnancy. It is not a disease in itself but rather a sign of another condition. Cardiomegaly can be diagnosed through imaging tests, such as chest X-rays, and other tests are then needed to diagnose the condition causing the enlarged heart.
  • Cardiomyopathy is a heterogeneous group of diseases of the heart muscle, which often make the heart rigid or thick, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. Cardiomyopathies are a major cause of cardiomegaly, but there are other conditions that can also lead to an enlarged heart. Some common types of cardiomyopathy include dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.

In summary, cardiomegaly is an abnormal enlargement of the heart that can be caused by various conditions, including cardiomyopathies, while cardiomyopathies are a group of diseases specifically affecting the heart muscle. Cardiomegaly is a clinical manifestation of cardiomyopathies, which means that cardiomyopathies can cause cardiomegaly, but cardiomegaly is not exclusive to cardiomyopathies.

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  • What is the Difference Between Cardiomegaly and Cardiomyopathy?
  • Comparative Table: Cardiomegaly vs Cardiomyopathy

    • Comparative Table: Cardiomegaly vs Cardiomyopathy

    Cardiomegaly and cardiomyopathy are both disorders of the heart, but they have distinct differences in their definition, causes, and manifestations. Here is a table comparing the two:

    Feature Cardiomegaly Cardiomyopathy
    Definition An abnormal enlargement of the heart A primary disorder of the heart muscle, can be structural or functional
    Causes - Hypertension
    - Coronary artery diseases
    - Dilated cardiomyopathy
    - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
    - Pregnancy
    - Infections
    - Inherited disorders    		 - Radiation fibrosis
    - Sarcoidosis
    - Amyloidosis
    - Metastatic tumors
    Classification Not applicable - Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
    - Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM)
    - Restrictive cardiomyopathy
    Diagnosis Chest X-ray, Ultrasound, Cardiac catheterization, ECG Chest X-ray, ECG, Echocardiogram, Cardiac MRI, Coronary angiography
    Symptoms May be asymptomatic or present with heart failure symptoms Symptoms depend on the type of cardiomyopathy, some common ones include fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort

    Cardiomegaly is characterized by an abnormal enlargement of the heart, which can be caused by various factors such as hypertension, coronary artery diseases, and certain types of cardiomyopathy. On the other hand, cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of diseases that affect the heart muscle, with specific classifications like dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. The diagnosis, symptoms, and treatments for these conditions vary accordingly.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.