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What Is Myocarditis?
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle (the myocardium), often caused by a virus or autoimmune disease.
It can weaken the heart, making it harder to pump blood.
Myocarditis is a rare disease and can be mild or severe.
In the worst cases, it can lead to:
What are the types of myocarditis?
There are several types of myocarditis, often depending on the cause.
Inflammation of the heart muscle may be:
- Acute – Sudden onset of myocarditis, often seen in children.
- Chronic – Myocarditis that lasts longer than two weeks. It's more often seen in adults and needs long-term treatment.
What causes myocarditis?
Viral infections are the leading cause of myocarditis, such as:
- Herpes virus.
- Flu.
- Parvovirus.
- Hepatitis C.
- SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).
Viruses may infect the heart muscle and cause chronic or acute immune responses.
Other causes of myocarditis are:
- Bacterial and fungal infections.
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Side effects from medicines. They include antibiotics, antidepressants, tranquilizers, seizure medicines, and weight loss medicines.
- Toxins. Exposure to radiation and heavy metals such as copper, iron, and lead.
- Lyme disease, insect and snake bites.
- Alcohol and illegal drugs (cocaine, ecstasy, MDMA).
What are myocarditis risk factors and complications?
Risk factors include:
- Age – Myocarditis can affect all age groups, including children but occurs more often in young adults.
- Sex – Myocarditis caused by autoimmune disease is more common in women, and the other types are more common in men.
- Genes – Your genes may play a part in how your body responds to infection or inflammation of the heart.
- Lifestyle choices – Drinking too much alcohol or taking illegal drugs may cause heart inflammation.
- Medical conditions – Cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and HIV/AIDS can increase your risk of myocarditis.
Most people with nutcracker syndrome have abdominal pain but this condition can be present — especially in children — without any symptoms. Nutcracker syndrome is not hereditary, though it may be triggered by multiparity or pregnancy.
Complications of myocarditis
How can I prevent myocarditis?
Many causes of myocarditis (such as viruses) are hard to avoid or prevent.
Avoiding excess alcohol and drug use is one way to decrease your risk of getting myocarditis.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Myocarditis?
Sometimes myocarditis is mild and has no symptoms. Sometimes it goes away on its own, and people don't even know they had it.
But more severe forms of the disease can occur, sometimes in otherwise healthy young adults.
See a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Chest pain or pressure.
- Lightheadedness or sudden loss of consciousness.
- Heart palpitations.
- Shortness of breath with exercise, when lying down, or all of the time.
- Fatigue.
- Stomach pain.
- Fever.
- Muscle aches.
- Decreased appetite.
- Swelling of feet, legs, or belly.
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How Do You Diagnose Myocarditis?
To diagnose myocarditis, your doctor will:
- Take a complete medical history.
- Ask about any prior heart problems and possible exposure to toxins.
- Order blood tests, which may help find the cause of your heart inflammation.
Your doctor may also order tests, such as:
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How Do You Treat Myocarditis?
Mild cases of myocarditis may resolve on their own. Sometimes people don't even realize they had the disease.
Your treatment may depend on what caused the myocarditis.
Medicine
Your doctor may prescribe one or more of these medications to help treat your myocarditis:
- Corticosteroids – These drugs can calm the body's immune system if an autoimmune disease triggered myocarditis.
- Heart failure drugs – These can lower your blood pressure, prevent fluid buildup, and decrease the strain on the heart.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) – These drugs help control the body's immune and inflammatory response.
- NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) – These reduce inflammation and help provide pain relief.
- Antibiotics – These drugs treat bacterial infections.
- Blood thinners – These drugs help prevent blood clots.
Lifestyle changes
Your doctor may suggest the following lifestyle changes:
- Rest – Your doctor will want you to rest at home until your symptoms lessen.
- Reduced activity – While you're recovering, you should avoid any strenuous activity.
- Low-salt diet – Too much salt in your diet can lead to extra fluid in your body. That can increase your blood pressure and make your heart work harder.
- No alcohol or drugs – Stopping the use of alcohol and illegal drugs is good for your overall heart health.
Surgery for myocarditis
With more severe cases, your doctor may suggest one or more of these treatments:
- Pacemaker – This device signals the heart to beat in a regular rhythm.
- Intra-aortic balloon pump – A temporary balloon-like device inserted into the aorta to help your blood pump for severe cases.
- Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation – A temporary life-support machine where a pump circulates blood into an artificial lung for severe cases.
- Heart transplant – In extreme cases, myocarditis can cause heart failure, and you may need a transplant.
Living with myocarditis
With treatment, many people live long, full lives after myocarditis.
But you may be at risk for a recurrence for years and need ongoing medication and check-ups.
To prevent complications from myocarditis:
- Take all medicine as prescribed by your heart doctor.
- Don't exercise until your doctor says it's ok.
- Avoid risk factors like illegal drugs and alcohol.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-10-01.
