The myocardium is the heart muscle that contracts and pumps blood. Myocarditis is the inflammation of the myocardium, which can be mild, but can also lead to serious complications (heart failure, arrhythmias, blood clots in the heart), even cardiac arrest.
Symptoms of myocarditis
- Chest pain, mild or severe, like the pain of a heart attack.
- Shortness of breath when the patient exercises or lies down.
- Fever, especially if the myocarditis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
- Feeling exhausted or weak without any reason.
- Tachycardia or irregular heartbeat.
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen.
- Dizziness or fainting, due to reduced blood flow.
What causes myocarditis
- Viruses (Coxsackie B, influenza, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, hepatitis B or C, HIV).
- Bacteria (Staphylococci and streptococci, mycobacteria, such as tuberculosis, other bacteria).
- Autoimmune diseases (Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, vasculitis).
- Certain medications (antibiotics, chemotherapeutics).
- Toxic substances such as cocaine and excessive alcohol.
- Infectious infections (diphtheria, amoebiasis).
- Disorders that affect metabolism (gout, obesity).
Diagnosis of myocarditis
Diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis must be immediate to avoid further damage to the heart. The Cardiologist will take the patient’s medical history, listen to the heart, perform an electrocardiogram and an ultrasound of the heart (Triplex). If he finds abnormalities in the heart rhythm, he will prescribe blood tests.
If high levels of inflammatory markers are found, they may indicate active inflammation.
Then, he will request a CT scan or MRI to check for the presence of inflammation or damage to the myocardium. In severe cases, a biopsy of the heart muscle may be performed.
Treatment of myocarditis
Treatment depends on the cause and the severity of the damage. It includes, accordingly, antibiotics or antiviral drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs to control heart rhythm abnormalities, diuretics to reduce edema.
In severe autoimmune cases, the Cardiologist will administer corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs, and may refer the patient for hospitalization for close monitoring of cardiac function. If myocarditis has caused severe heart failure or other complications, it is treated accordingly.
