Myocarditis is a form of heart disease that results from the inflammation of the heart muscle. The heart's capacity to pump blood may be reduced by inflammation. It may become more difficult for the heart to pump blood to the rest of your body as a result of this inflammation. Heart inflammation can cause major health issues such as coronary heart disease, an irregular heartbeat (also known as arrhythmia), and heart failure. Viral infections are the most frequent cause of myocarditis, however other infections can also result in myocarditis. Myocarditis has also been linked to specific chemicals. Myocarditis is more common in men than in women. Although they can affect all ages, myocarditis occurs more often in young adults.
People with Myocarditis may experience no or mild symptoms in the early stage. Common myocarditis symptoms include:
Chest pain or discomfort
Fatigue
Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet
Irregular or rapid heartbeat
Shortness of breath, at rest or during activity
Light-headedness or fainting
Loss of appetite
Infection symptoms like diarrhea, headache, body aches, joint pain, fever, or sore throat
If you experience any of these symptoms, visit a General Practitioner (General Practice doctor), who might refer you to a Cardiologist, for proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent further complications.
Infections (infections with viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites can all result in heart inflammation)
Autoimmune diseases (myocarditis can be caused by autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis)
Medicines (some medicines’ side effects can lead to heart inflammation; Ex: some antibiotics, antidepressants, seizure medicines, and diuretics)
Factors that increase the risk of heart inflammation:
Age (heart inflammation occurs more frequently in young adults)
Sex (heart inflammation affects men more than women)
Family history (Genetics affect the risk of developing heart inflammation)
Lifestyle (too much alcohol, cocaine)
Medical conditions (diabetes, AIDS)
In addition to a physical examination and family history, the cardiologist may require the following tests to look at your heart:
Electrocardiogram
Echocardiogram
Chest x-ray
Blood test
Cardiac MRI
Cardiac catheterization and heart muscle biopsy
Treatment of myocarditis depends on the symptoms and cause; your cardiologist will discuss the treatment options with you:
Pain-killers for chest pain
Corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation
Diuretics to remove extra fluid from the body
Beta-blockers to improve arrhythmia
Medications to lower blood pressure
Surgery
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