What is myocarditis?

4 May 2021

It is a condition in which the myocardium or heart muscle becomes inflamed causing arrhythmias and a deficiency in the pumping of blood that can lead to the formation of clots and trigger a stroke or heart attack. There are several causes for the appearance of this anomaly, including:

  • Bacterial infections.
  • Fungal infections.
  • Parasites.
  • Viral infections.

Occasionally, myocarditis can result from a medication allergy, illicit drugs, exposure to certain chemicals, or the presence of other diseases such as lupus.

Signs and symptoms Myocarditis

Symptoms vary depending on the cause that originates the myocarditis, but, in general, it includes:

  • Chest pain.
  • Edema in legs, feet, and ankles.
  • Trouble breathing.
  • Tiredness.
  • Arrhythmia.

If it is caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, the characteristic symptoms are:

  • Diarrhea.
  • Joint pain.
  • Headache.
  • Sore throat.
  • High fever.

Potential risks:

Myocarditis usually goes away without sequelae, but it can sometimes seriously affect the heart, causing:

  • Stroke.
  • Arrhythmias.
  • Heart attack.
  • Heart failure.
  • Death.

Diagnosis and treatment Myocarditis

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request blood tests and diagnostic tests such as:

  • Echocardiogram.
  • Electrocardiogram.
  • Chest x-ray.
  • MRI.
  • Catheterization.
  • Heart muscle biopsy.

The treatment to be followed will depend on the cause of the condition and the severity of the symptoms. You may be prescribed painkillers, anti-inflammatories, cardiac drugs, and corticosteroids, but if you have severe myocarditis, you will require intensive treatment, which includes intravenous medications, a ventricular assist device to help pump blood back into your body, the implantation of a catheter, and in extreme cases, a heart transplant.

At the Cardiovascular Center we offer you a wide range of prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up services to take care of you through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary care model. Come to us, we want to hear your heart.

Related centers and departments Myocarditis

Cardiovascular Center
Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • fundaciondelcorazon.com
  • myhealth.ucsd.edu
  • msdmanuals.com
  • mayoclinic.org
  • texasheart.org
  • medigraphic.org
  • Clavero-Adell M, Palanca-Arias D, Ayerza-Casas A, et al. Miocardiopatía dilatada tras miocarditis aguda: ¿Bordetella pertussis como agente etiológico?. Acta Pediatr Mex. 2020;41(1):21-25.
  • Hernández-Ortega AP, González-Guerrero MC, Arias-Amaral J, et al. Miocarditis aguda, manifestación inusual de loxoscelismo visceral. Med Int Mex. 2021;37(5):867-873.
  • Cruz PF, Webb WK, Vilchez LM, et al. Miocarditis eosinofílica. Rev Clin Esc Med. 2020;10(1):1-4.
  • Buelna CC, Nava TS, Cano ZR, et al. Miocarditis aguda asociada a neumonía por Streptococcus pneumoniae. An Med Asoc Med Hosp ABC. 2019;64(1):64-67.

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.