Atrial Myxoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Atrial Myxoma?
A cardiac surgeon, a doctor who does heart surgery, removes an atrial myxoma. A cardiologist, a heart doctor, finds the tumor and plans your care. Your regular doctor can start the evaluation and refer you. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is atrial myxoma?
An atrial myxoma is a benign tumor, meaning it is not cancer, that grows inside one of the upper chambers of the heart. These chambers are called the atria. It most often grows on the wall that separates the two upper chambers. A myxoma is a primary heart tumor, meaning it started in the heart rather than spreading from somewhere else.
Primary heart tumors are rare. About 75 percent of myxomas grow in the left atrium, the upper chamber on the left side of the heart. Myxomas are more common in women. About 1 in 10 run in families.
Symptoms
Many myxomas cause no symptoms. Some are found by chance on an imaging test done for another reason. When symptoms happen, they often change with body position. They can include:
- Shortness of breath with activity, when lying flat, or during sleep.
- Chest pain or tightness.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- A feeling of your heart beating fast or hard (palpitations).
- Fever, weight loss without trying, joint pain, and a general feeling of being unwell.
- Swelling in parts of the body.
Causes and who gets it
The exact cause is still being studied. Most myxomas happen by chance and are not inherited. About 10 percent are linked to an inherited condition called Carney complex, which can cause tumors in several glands of the body. These familial myxomas tend to appear at a younger age and can grow in more than one spot in the heart. Overall, atrial myxomas occur mostly in women, with the peak between about 30 and 60 years old.
How doctors diagnose it
Your doctor will do a physical exam and listen to your heart. Abnormal sounds or a murmur may be heard, and these can change when you change position. An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart, is usually the main test. It shows the tumor's size, location, and movement. Cardiac MRI or CT scans can add detail. Blood tests may show signs such as anemia or a high sedimentation rate, a marker of inflammation.
Treatment
Surgery is needed to remove the tumor. Because of the ongoing risk of embolization and sudden problems with blood flow, doctors advise prompt surgery no matter the size. The surgeon removes the tumor through an opening in the chest while a heart-lung machine does the work of the heart during the operation. Most of the time surgery removes the myxoma fully. Rarely it comes back after several years, so regular checkups are advised.
Untreated, a myxoma can lead to an embolism. This means tumor cells or a clot break off and travel in the bloodstream, blocking blood flow. Pieces can move to the brain, eye, or limbs. The tumor can also cause heart rhythm problems, which can be treated with medicines or other treatments.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or your local emergency number if you faint, have chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, have trouble breathing, or have sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the body. Also call 911 for trouble speaking or a sudden change in vision. A piece of the tumor can break off and block a blood vessel, which can cause a stroke.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can do an evaluation, order first tests, send you to a heart doctor, and plan your follow-up care.
Common questions
Can a heart tumor cause no symptoms?
Yes. Some myxomas cause no symptoms and are found by chance. When symptoms happen, they can include shortness of breath with activity or when lying flat, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, and a feeling of your heart beating fast or hard.
Is a myxoma dangerous if it is not cancer?
Yes, it can be. A myxoma is not cancer, but it is still dangerous. It can block blood flow inside the heart, and pieces can break off and block vessels in the brain, eye, or limbs. Prompt surgery is the treatment.
What test finds an atrial myxoma?
Echocardiography, an ultrasound of the heart, is usually the main test. It shows the tumor's size, location, attachment, and movement. Cardiac MRI or CT scans can add detail when needed.
What happens after surgery?
The outlook after surgery is very good, with a low risk of death and quick recovery. Most tumors are removed fully. Rarely the tumor comes back, so your doctor will suggest regular checkups. In familial cases the chance of return is higher.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
