MYOCARDITIS

About Your Heart

About Myocarditis
What Causes Myocarditis?
What are the Symptoms of Myocarditis?
How is Myocarditis Diagnosed?
How is Myocarditis Treated?
What are the Long-Term Effects of

Myocarditis?

Can Myocarditis Recur?

What Can be Done to Prevent Myocarditis?

YOUR HEART...
Your heart is a four-chambered, muscular
pump about the size of an adult fist.
Normally, the heart beats 60 to 100 times
per minute, pumping blood throughout
your body with each beat.
Two upper heart chambers called the right
and left atria (each is called an atrium)
receive blood that returns to the heart
from the body. Veins carry this returning
blood to the atria. When the muscles of
the atria contract, blood is squeezed into
the two larger, lower heart chambers
called the right and left ventricles. When
the muscles of the ventricles contract,
blood is propelled through arteries to the
entire body.

ABOUT MYOCARDITIS
Myocarditis is a disease marked by

inflammation and damage

of the heart muscle
Myocarditis is uncommon and can be

caused by a viral infection or a selfdirected immune response (this is

when the persons own immune
system attacks the body, such as in
autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid
arthritis or lupus). Some autoimmune
diseases can affect the heart and
cause myocarditis. Rare cases have
also been associated with a variety of
infections, toxic injuries, adverse drug
reactions, and even cancer.

WHAT CAUSES MYOCARDITIS?

Myocarditis can be caused by many viruses,

but the most common are those associated with

upper respiratory tract infections.
Less commonly, other contagious diseases,
including Lyme disease, may cause
myocarditis. Rarely, myocarditis has been caused
by cocaine use or exposure to toxic

agents including metal poisons

snake or spider bites.

or

Most cases of myocarditis are not

infectious. There is no known risk of

infection to family members of people

with myocarditis.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MYOCARDITIS?

The most common symptom of myocarditis is

shortness of breath during exercise or exertion.

This symptom usually develops 7 to 14 days
after a viral illness and can progress to
shortness of breath at night, which may require
that you sit up to breathe.
Other symptoms may include fatigue, heart

palpitations and chest pain or pressure. The legs

also may swell. Rarely, myocarditis causes a
sudden loss of consciousness that may be due
to abnormal heart rhythms. In summary, patients
may experience some, all or none of the
following symptoms: shortness of breath, chest
pain, lightheadedness, irregular heartbeat,
sudden loss of consciousness.

HOW IS MYOCARDITIS DIAGNOSED?

An Electrocardiogram
A Chest X-Ray

An Echocardiogram (abbreviated echo)

Occasionally, a heart biopsy is required to
confirm the diagnosis.
Blood tests. These tests measure white and

red blood cell counts, as well as levels of

certain enzymes that indicate damage to your
heart muscle. Blood tests can also detect
antibodies against viruses and other
organisms that might mean you have a
myocarditis-related infection.

HOW IS MYOCARDITIS DIAGNOSED?

HOW IS MYOCARDITIS TREATED?

Myocarditis is commonly treated

with medications used to treat heart

failure.
Rest and a low-salt diet are often

recommended.
Steroids and other medications

also may be used to reduce heart

inflammation.
More rarely, if an abnormal heart

rhythm is present, treatment may

require additional medications, a
pacemaker or even a
defibrillator.

HOW IS MYOCARDITIS TREATED?

PACEMAKER

A pacemaker (or artificial

pacemaker, so as not to be
confused with the heart's natural
pacemaker) is a medical device
which uses electrical impulses,
delivered by
electrodescontracting the heart
muscles, to regulate the beating
of the heart.

WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF MYOCARDITIS?

The long-term effects of myocarditis are highly variable.

Many people recover heart function without long-term

negative health effects and without a return of symptoms.
In a minority of cases, heart function may not improve
after myocarditis, and the individual can require long-term
medical therapy and sometimes heart transplantation.

CAN MYOCARDITIS RECUR?

Yes, myocarditis can recur, and in some cases can lead to

a chronically enlarged heart (called dilated

cardiomyopathy). There is no known way to prevent
recurrence of myocarditis. However, the risk of recurrence
is low (probably about 10 to 15 percent).

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT MYOCARDITIS?

No lifestyle changes or medical

treatments are known to prevent

viral myocarditis.
Because myocarditis is rare,

information is limited regarding

its causes and effective
treatments. Myocarditis is not
believed to be inherited. No
genes are known to predispose
people to myocarditis.