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Question:
Can an enlarged heart return to normal size now that the person is off drugs?
Greetings! I am getting married next weekend. My fiancée had an enlarged heart at one time. He has ptsd and used meth heavily before we met. I was wondering if there was a chance that his heart could return back to normal size since he no longer does drugs? He seems to stay under a lot of stress still...I guess due to the ptsd. I monitor his bp quite often and it is within normal range. Tonight his heart rate was 60 (I believe that is on the low side of normal). I'm just concerned for him and wondering if this is something to be really concerned with or if his heart will go back to a normal size...he's very special to me and I want him around. Thanks for your time and consideration.
submitted by Mary from Georgia on 8/30/2012
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Scott R. Sherron, MD
There are many reasons for an enlarged heart including use of certain drugs like meth, but also, viral cardiomyopathy. The heart may indeed return to normal size and function (if weakness of heart muscle was even one of his problems…) and it is a good sign that his BP is normal and if he has no shortness of breath, especially with exertion. The best way to measure his heart size and function would be an echocardiogram which is an easy, non-invasive ultrasound of the heart. Best wishes.
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Updated September 2012
