Heart and circulation·Heart and circulation
heart on one side
Informed by recognized medical guidance
Overview
Heart on one side is a term people sometimes use to describe a condition where the heart is located in a different position than normal. For most people, the heart is on the left side of the chest. But in some cases, it can be on the right side (dextrocardia) or in the middle of the chest. This can happen on its own or as part of a larger condition called situs inversus, where all the organs in the chest and belly are mirrored.
Key facts
- It is usually present from birth (congenital).
- If there are no other heart problems, it often does not cause symptoms.
- It is often discovered by chance when a chest X-ray or other scan is done for another reason.
No, it is rare. Only about 1 in 10,000 people have dextrocardia.
It can affect anyone, but it is often noticed in childhood or during routine imaging. Sometimes it is found in adults when they have a scan for something else.