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Can Protein Shakes Cause An Enlarge Heart?
An enlarge heart can be caused by several factors. This article discusses whether protein shakes can be the cause of an enlarged heart.
There is usually only one reason why the heart becomes enlarged - it needs to work harder to provide nutrition to the body.
For some people, they develop an enlarged heart because of their lifestyles. They have poor eating habits, and they don't exercise enough. They also take on a lot of stress, and they don't sleep well. With a young body, an individual can give a lot of punishment to the body without much issues. The body can take the punishment. But for an older person, this can lead to health problems. Obesity, for example, is a common cause for an enlarged heart. The body needs to work hard to pump more blood to the other parts of the body.
Then there are those who get an enlarged heart simply because their hearts have adapted to their active lifestyles. Some athletes have a slightly larger heart because years of intensive training has caused the heart to grow bigger and stronger. The heart becomes more efficient at providing blood and oxygen to the body during intense exercise. As a result, these athletes are able to perform at high intensity for a longer period of time.
Then there are those who get a slightly enlarged heart due to a medical condition - such as having an overactive or underactive thyroid.
In general, consuming a protein shake once a day is safe. Excessive consumption of protein shakes should not be carried out without the advise of a qualified medical doctor. For most people who exercise just for leisure purposes, drinking protein shakes may not even be required. Remember that protein shakes are only meant as a dietary supplement. They are never meant to replace natural foods. So proper foods should still form your primary diet. Protein shakes, when used in a sensible manner, can provide a good source of high quality protein for the body. Many amateur and serious athletes have consumed protein shakes for years with no health issues.
Of course, having a slightly enlarged heart is never an issue if it is a healthy adaptation from exercise. It becomes a health problem when the individual starts to experience symptoms such as shortness of breath. This is a sign that the heart cannot pump blood effectively. If you experience any discomfort related to the heart, SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.
Treatment depends on the root cause of the enlarged heart. For example, if it's due to high blood pressure, your doctor may give you a prescription to lower your blood pressure. If it's due to hypertension, whatever is causing the stress needs to be removed.
Exercise may or may not be needed, depending on the recommendations made by your doctor. If unsure, stop all physical activity and consult a doctor immediately. Do not try and push yourself if you do not feel well. Doing so would be insensible and may result in serious consequences.
