Final answer:
The heart may enlarge in response to chronically increased afterload, often due to stiffening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) which causes the heart walls to thicken and the heart to work harder to pump blood. Conditions such as hypertension and coronary heart disease can lead to this abnormal heart enlargement. Alongside cardiac hypertrophy, cardiovascular disorders can also lead to edema and varicose veins, further increasing cardiac workload.
Step-by-step explanation:
As a person ages, the heart may enlarge as a result of chronically increased afterload. This occurs when arteries stiffen, a condition called arteriosclerosis, reducing their compliance and making it harder for the heart to pump blood through them. Over time, the heart has to generate a higher pressure to overcome the increased resistance, resulting in hypertrophy, where the heart walls thicken and the overall size of the heart increases. This is a compensatory reaction to ensure adequate blood flow but can eventually lead to heart failure as the heart muscle becomes less efficient.
Cardiac hypertrophy and associated conditions like hypertension and coronary heart disease are important to understand in the context of cardiovascular disorders. Edema and varicose veins can also occur due to pooling of blood in the veins, further increasing the workload on the heart. These conditions can all contribute to the abnormal enlargement of the heart muscle.
The human heart undergoes various changes as one ages, including increase in chamber size and valve changes, which can alter heart function. However, an enlarged heart is typically a pathological response to conditions such as increased afterload due to arteriosclerosis or hypertension, rather than a normal physiological adaptation.