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What is it about ?
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the muscle of the heart (myocardium). The cause is often unknown, but it is usually an infection.
Possible pathogens are viruses such as Coxsackie virus, influenza virus (influenza), cytomegalovirus (CMV), parvovirus and adenovirus. But bacteria, such as mycoplasmas, streptococci, and Lyme borreliosis, can also cause myocardial infection.
Myocarditis can also manifest in a systemic disease such as rheumatism and sarcoidosis. Finally, it can be the consequence of medical treatment, such as after radiotherapy or a heart transplant, or the side effect of drugs such as certain cancer drugs (cytostatics).
How to recognize it?
The course of myocarditis is very variable. Sometimes it progresses almost without symptoms and is never detected.
In severe cases, the function of the heart muscle may be impaired, which can lead to chest pain and palpitations and lead to severe heart failure.
Possible signs of a heart failure are :
- a rapid heartbeat;
- shortness of breath;
- fluid retention (edema) in the legs;
- rapid fatigue;
- difficulty lying flat.
In addition to the specific complaints of myocarditis, other symptoms specific to the cause may occur: joint pain in case of rheumatism, fever in case of infection, …
How is the diagnosis made?
Often, the doctor does not detect any abnormalities when auscultating the heart. Sometimes he can hear a heart murmur and an irregular heartbeat. Signs of heart failure are usually obvious (see above). The diagnosis can only be made with certainty when the electrocardiogram (ECG) reveals characteristic abnormalities. A blood test is also done to identify the underlying condition.
If you show signs of heart failure, you will be referred urgently to the cardiologist for further examinations and treatment. There is indeed a danger of edema in the lungs (potentially fatal). At the hospital, you will have a chest x-ray, an ultrasound of the heart, and extensive blood tests. Diagnosing myocarditis is not an easy task for the doctor, as he must distinguish it from a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
What can you do ?
Do not exercise vigorously if you have a fever from an infection. If you feel short of breath, experience chest pain or have palpitations from the slightest exertion, it is advisable to consult your doctor as soon as possible.
What can the doctor do?
If you have myocarditis accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain or heart failure, your first treatment will be started in the hospital. There you will be given medicines to support the functioning of the heart and, if necessary, painkillers.
The underlying disease will naturally be treated, too. As soon as your condition has improved sufficiently, you will go home and be monitored with checks, carried out every 2 weeks for about 2 months, until the electrocardiogram (ECG) is completely normalized. Before you can resume competitive sport, you will have to pass a stress test on a bicycle or treadmill.
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