Myocarditis (patient information)
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Editors-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. Associate Editor-In-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [1]
Overview
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle.
What are the symptoms of Myocarditis?
There may be no symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to the flu. If symptoms occur, they may include:
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Chest pain that may resemble a heart attack
- Fatigue
- Fever and other signs of infection including headache, muscle aches, sore throat, diarrhea, or rashes
- Joint pain or swelling
- Leg swelling
- Shortness of breath
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:
- Fainting, often related to irregular heart rhythms
- Low urine output
What causes Myocarditis?
Myocarditis is an uncommon disorder that is usually caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections that reach the heart. Viral infections: Like Coxsackie,Cytomegalovirus,Hepatitis C,Herpes,HIV,Parvovirus etc Bacterial infections: Like Chlamydia,Mycoplasma,Streptococcus,Treponema etc Fungal infections: Like Aspergillus,Candida,Coccidioides,Cryptococcus,Histoplasma etc
When to seek urgent medical care
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of myocarditis, especially after a recent infection. Seek immediate medical help if you have severe symptoms or have been diagnosed with myocarditis and have increased:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling
Treatment option
A physical examination may show no abnormalities, or may reveal the following:
- Abnormal heartbeat or heart sounds (murmurs, extra heart sounds)
- Fever
- Fluid in the lungs
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Swelling (edema) in the legs
Tests used to diagnosis myocarditis include:
- Blood cultures for infection
- Blood tests for antibodies against the heart muscle and the body itself
- Chest x-ray
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Heart muscle biopsy (endomyocardial biopsy)
- Red blood cell count
- Ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram)
- White blood cell count
Treatment is aimed at the cause of the problem, and may involve:
- Antibiotics
- Anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce swelling
- Diuretics to remove excess water from the body
- Low-salt diet
- Reduced activity
If the heart muscle is very weak, your health care provider will prescribe medicines to treat heart failure. Abnormal heart rhythms may require the use of additional medications, a pacemaker, or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. If a blood clot is in the heart chamber, you will also receive blood thinning medicine.
Where to find medical care for Myocarditis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Myocarditis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
How well you do depends on the cause of the problem and your overall health. The outlook varies. Some people may recover completely. Others may have permanent heart failure.
Possible complications
The most likely complications are