When someone's heart becomes enlarged it can be detected by imaging tests, X-ray, and/or physical exam.  An enlarged heart is a sign that the heart is overworked. It can occur as a result of a thickened heart muscle from increased workload. The heart can be over worked from high blood pressure and heart valve disease among other things. One of the main conditions that an enlarged heart is associated with is heart failure, which occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the  body's needs.

Symptoms of an enlarged heart include, but are not limited to, dizziness, shortness of breath, and/or irregular heart beat. The most common treatment for an enlarged heart is medication, but if there is an underlying condition or disease that caused the heart enlargement, that will be treated as well. If treated properly, heart enlargement can be very well controlled and sometimes even reversed.