Question for the experts

T

theGOOCH

2
Ok, I know when a person is obese the heart is overworked and he/she can get an enlarged heart, which is bad. I have also heard when you do a lot of cardiovascular exercise and get in great shape your heart gets larger, but this is good.

If you examine the two hearts what would be the physiological difference?
 
The obese person is more likely to suffer from angina, generally brought on by atherosclerosis, which can lead to things such as myocardial infarction. Obviously, once this sets in one is on their way to arrhythmia and numerous other problems.
The key thing with these problems is they are generally associated with hypertension. Which is a prime player in lleft ventricular hypertrophy (most common/contributer reason of heart enlargement in obese people).

Now, the athlete does intact have some degree of "heart enlargement" but its not quite the same and to no where the same degree as the obese person.

Also, genetics play a strong factor in heart enlargement. Generally in the form of hyperttrophic cardiomyopathy. People with this genetic predisposition to "enlarged hearts" are that the highest risk for problems if they allow them selfs to become obese.

Let me know if you need to know something else about this. The cardiovascular system is a something I study constantly as I am highly interested in(in a hobby and maybe career sense :) ).
 
Thanks, it was just a theoretical question, but I was just curious

I guess if your doctor did some type of scan and noticed your heart was slightly "enlarged" and you were very fit they wouldn't think anything of it, but if you were obese they would be alarmed.


Now if you knew a way that I could stop being so damn nervous at the doctor's office which causes "white coat" hypertension I'd be all ears but I know it's just my own weirdness:yelrotflmao:
 
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Your welcome
!
I guess if your doctor did some type of scan and noticed your heart was slightly "enlarged" and you were very fit they wouldn't think anything of it, but if you were obese they would be alarmed.
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An enlarged heart can be a sign of problems to come and a problem in and of it self (as I mentioned above).

It depends though on a number of factors. For example, If you are an athlete and have been one for a long time with no history of cardiovascular related conditions than they might not think much of a slight enlargement of the heart. Although, it should remained monitored. But, add hypertension, chest pain or any other possible related symptom and they should always investigate the problem.

Haha, "White coat hypertension"! ;)
 
Thats another reason to not eat junk food.
The build up of "fatty streaks" which can develop from 15yo can turn into dangerous arthromas which can clinically result in heammorage, rupture, thrombis and embolus. Artheromas originating in the heart can screw up the heart leading to the formation of a mural thrombus and then stroke.

You dont have to have a scan to see problems you can have a ECG which is less invasive.
 
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