Any cardiologists out there?

Question

I had to get a turbuculosis shot for my school. Well I had a reaction to it, and the school said any one that has a reaction may have turbuculosis so it was required to get an Xray...Well I was living about 10 minutes away from the Texas/Mexico border at the time and didn't have much cash to get the Xray. But I HAD to get it or else they weren't going to let me back into class. So I had it done in Mexico. The doctor over there didn't speak very much English, but he said that my heart is enlarged and that I need to get to a cardiologist as soon as possible. I have no medical insurance? How worried about this do I need to be? What could this "enlarged heart" mean? And how much is all this going to cost me?

Answer 1

There is a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that can affect young people, causing their heart to enlarge. Also there are valves that can malfunction or holes in your heart that you were born with that would cause an enlarged heart in a young person.

Now before you get too upset; chest xrays if you were rotated when it was taken can represent an enlarged heart when there is none. Also young people often have an athletically enlarged heart which is completely normal.

You should do the following: visit a family practice doctor with a copy of the xray. He/she should perform an EKG, a physical exam, and run a blood test (B-type natremic peptide, aka BNP). All of this should run about $100.00. These three pieces of information will help to establish whether the matter is anything to be concerned about or not. If you do require further workup then it of course will cost a bit more, but at least you know you are spending the money for a good reason.

Good luck.

Answer 2

an enlarged heart symbolizes the blood is not circulating properly, you do need medical attention soon as you can get it. you should try seeking help from the state or your local social services. there are cheap insurances one is for low income and it is called Basic Health 4 All. check into it and see what you find. the drs are going to put you on medication to help your heart go back down to regular size, it takes 3-6 months for it to go to regular size. but make sure you get it taken care of! god bless..