What causes inflammation of the muscles around the heart?

Myocarditis is when your heart muscle becomes inflamed. It often happens due to an infection, typically caused by a virus. Myocarditis can also be caused by bacterial infections, fungal infections, and autoimmune diseases. Many people with myocarditis go on to recover completely.

How do I know if my heart muscle is inflamed?

Common symptoms include:

  1. lightheadedness.
  2. tiredness.
  3. swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, and hands.
  4. chest pain or pressure.
  5. shortness of breath.
  6. heart palpitations, which feel as if the heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, or beating too fast.
  7. sudden loss of consciousness.

Can myocarditis be treated?

There is no cure at present for either type of myocarditis. Physicians treat the disease’s symptoms, which can include tachycardia, arrhythmias and heart failure. In some cases, however, an autoimmune disorder may be treated alongside cardiac symptoms to support recovery.

Does inflammation of the heart go away?

Usually, myocarditis goes away without permanent complications. However, severe myocarditis can permanently damage the heart muscle. Potential complications of myocarditis may include: Heart failure.

How do you get rid of inflammation in the heart?

Increase activity: Exercising for as little as 20 minutes a day can decrease inflammation. You don’t have to do an intense sweat session: Moderate workouts, such as fast walking, are effective. Eat a heart-healthy diet: Processed and fast foods produce inflammation.

How does myocarditis feel?

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). The inflammation can reduce the heart’s ability to pump blood. Myocarditis can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Infection with a virus is one cause of myocarditis.

How long can you live with myocarditis?

The long-term prognosis was usually good, with a 3 to 5-year survival ranging from 56 to 83%, respectively. Patients with acute fulminant myocarditis have an excellent long-term prognosis of 93% at 11 years once they survive the acute illness.

Is heart inflammation serious?

Inflammation in the heart can lead to serious health problems, including an irregular heartbeat (also called arrhythmia), heart failure, and coronary heart disease. Many things cause heart inflammation. Common causes include viral or bacterial infections and medical conditions such as autoimmune diseases.

Is inflammation of the heart serious?

When should I suspect myocarditis?

Myocarditis should be suspected in people who have recent onset cardiac symptoms, such as chest pains or trouble breathing, and who have no evidence of more common disorders such as coronary artery disease, heart valve damage or severe high blood pressure.

Does an ECG show myocarditis?

Acute myocarditis represents a challenging diagnosis as there is no pathognomonic clinical presentation. In patients with myocarditis, electrocardiogram (ECG) can display a variety of non-specific abnormalities. Nevertheless, ECG is widely used as an initial screening tool for myocarditis.