Myocarditis

Introduction : Myocardium is the heart muscle. Myocarditis is a condition in which there is inflammation of the heart muscle. Various causes are associated with the development of Myocarditis. It varies from person to person, depending on the cause and severity, symptoms and possible problems associated with myocarditis. Sometimes it can range from no symptoms at all, to life-threatening heart failure.

Symptoms : The symptoms of myocarditis depend on the cause and severity of the inflammation. Most of the time people with viral myocarditis do not have any heart-related symptoms and lead a normal life. The heart inflammation may be diagnosed by some changes on an ECG of the infected person. If symptoms do develop they can include:

• chest pain
• fever
• a fast heartbeat
• tiredness

Causes : Myocarditis can affect anyone and occur at any age. There are various causes of myocarditis ranging from mild to fatal ones. In many cases, the cause of myocarditis is not found even with the test and proper diagnosis. Many types of virus infection can affect our various body parts including the heart muscle. So, myocarditis may develop with a viral throat or chest infection, or when you have flu or just after. Our body’s immune system if working properly can clear many types of virus within a week or so. However there are many other causes also which are less common including patients with HIV infection, by various bacteria, fungi, parasites and other germs etc. and it could be a rare side-effect of some medicines.

Treatment : The treatment given in cases of myocarditis depends on the cause and severity. For example, if the patient has only mild viral myocarditis, no particular treatment is necessary. Painkillers are there to ease chest pain and fever. You may be advised by your cardiologist not to do strenuous exercise until your ECG has returned to normal. On the other hand, for more uncommon causes, or cases with complications, a range of treatments may be needed which may include the following options:

• Oxygen.
• Arrhythmias.
• A pacemaker
• Antibiotics if it is found that cause of the myocarditis is a bacterial infection
• Steroid medication in case of giant-cell myocarditis
• Stopping usage of alcohol
• Medicines for inflammation
• Low salt diet
• In case of very weak heart muscle, medicines to treat heart failure are also prescribed. Abnormal heart rhythms may require a pacemaker, or defibrillator. If there is a blood clot in the heart chamber, blood thinning medicine is given as well.