Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly)

You might come to your healthcare provider with symptoms of vague abdominal discomfort, or you might have symptoms related to your underlying condition. Sometimes, healthcare providers find an enlarged spleen by accident during a routine exam, or while looking for something else. Your provider will likely be able to feel your enlarged spleen during a physical exam. It can also show up in imaging.

You may have various medical tests to confirm an enlarged spleen and help isolate the cause, including:

Imaging tests. An abdominal ultrasound or CT scan can help confirm an enlarged spleen and may give additional information, such as how severe it is, whether it has a lesion or whether it is encroaching on any other organs. An MRI can trace the blood flow through your spleen.
Blood tests. If your healthcare provider is unsure of the cause, they may investigate with blood tests. They can test for specific diseases, cancers, blood disorders and liver function problems.
Bone marrow analysis. Your provider might take a bone marrow aspiration and/or bone marrow biopsy to test the blood cell content in your bone marrow tissues. This can give them information about how your spleen is functioning and can indicate certain disorders.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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