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Signs of heart disease are found during a physical examination. The blood pressure is elevated. Enlargement of the heart may be noted. Listening to the chest with a stethoscope may reveal fluid in the lungs or abnormal heart sounds. Late in the history of the condition, there may be signs of heart failure, including pulmonary (lung) congestion.
An ECG may be abnormal, showing an enlarged heart, an irregular heart beat, or evidence of ischemia (lack of oxygen to the heart muscle).
Enlargement of the heart or decreased heart functioning may be seen on:
- An echocardiogram
- A chest x-ray
- A chest CT scan (rarely performed for this diagnosis)
- A coronary angiogram
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