hi, I am female,47 years old, 5'1, 130lbs. my xray says heart is enlarged, aorta is tortuous, no active parenchymal infiltrates noted, small calcific opacity is noted in left mid lung area. I have difficulty breathing esp after some chores. Also I regularly have chest and back pains left area. By the way,Xray Impression is Cardiomegaly and atheromatous aorta. What does this mean? how serious are these findings? thank you.
An enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) is not a disease itself but a physical sign that can accompany many diseases and conditions.Treatment and prognosis are dependent upon the specific cause. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fatty material collects along the walls of arteries. This fatty material thickens, hardens (forms calcium deposits), and may eventually block the arteries. Atheromatous aorta means atherosclerosis of the aorta. The heart is directly connected to the aorta such that it pumps blood immediately into it. If you block the aorta, the heart would then work extra harder to pump blood into the aorta since it's so "tight" there. So the medication according to these findings is mandatory and the cardiologist will advice you further.
Thank you and good luck
Dr.Jolanda Pulmonologist
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What Does This X Ray Report Indicate?
Hello and thank you for asking in HCM An enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) is not a disease itself but a physical sign that can accompany many diseases and conditions.Treatment and prognosis are dependent upon the specific cause. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fatty material collects along the walls of arteries. This fatty material thickens, hardens (forms calcium deposits), and may eventually block the arteries. Atheromatous aorta means atherosclerosis of the aorta. The heart is directly connected to the aorta such that it pumps blood immediately into it. If you block the aorta, the heart would then work extra harder to pump blood into the aorta since it s so tight there. So the medication according to these findings is mandatory and the cardiologist will advice you further. Thank you and good luck Dr.Jolanda Pulmonologist