Myocarditis
*What is myocarditis*
Myocarditis is a disease marked by inflammation and damage of the heart muscle. Although the exact incidence of myocarditis is not known, it is estimated that several thousand patients per year are diagnosed in the United States. Myocarditis usually attacks otherwise healthy people. It is believed that 5 to 20% of all cases of sudden death in young adults are due to myocarditis.
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). Exactly how many people are affected is hard to know because it often has no symptoms.
Many people who get myocarditis are otherwise healthy. Many things can lead to it. The best ways to prevent it are to treat infections quickly and stop them from happening.
*Causes*
Viral infection is the most common cause of myocarditis.
When you have one, your body produces cells to fight it. These cells release chemicals. If the disease-fighting cells enter your heart , some chemicals they release can inflame your heart muscle.
Some things that can cause myocarditis include:
1. Coxsackie B viruses
2. Epstein-Barr virus ( EBV)
3. Cytomegalovirus ( CMV )
4. Hepatitis C
5. Herpes
6. HIV
7. Parvovirus
8. Chlamydia (a common sexually transmitted disease )
9. Mycoplasma (bacteria that cause a lung infection)
10. Streptococcal (strep) bacteria
Staphylococcal ( staph ) bacteria
11. Treponema (the cause of syphilis )
12. Borrelia (the cause of Lyme disease )
: *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?*
The majority of cases of myocarditis have no symptoms and are not diagnosed. However, when a person develops symptoms, common tests for myocarditis include the following:
1. An Electrocardiogram
Electrical activity of your heart is detected by electrodes taped to your skin. This activity is recorded as waves that represent the electrical forces in the different parts of the heart.
2. A Chest X-Ray
A chest X-ray produces an image on film that outlines your heart, lungs and other structures in your chest. From a chest X-ray, your physician learns information such as the size and shape of your heart.
3. An Echocardiogram (abbreviated echo)
Sound waves (too high-pitched to be heard) are used to make an image of your heart or analyze blood flow. The sound waves are sent into your body from a transducer, a small plastic device. The sound waves are reflected back from internal structures, returning to the transducer and producing images of the heart and its structures.
4. Less frequently, a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be done to diagnose myocarditis. An MRI creates images using a magnetic field and radio waves.
5. Occasionally, a heart biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis.
*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.
Rarely, if an abnormal heart rhythm is present, treatment may require additional medications, a pacemaker or even a defibrillator.
: *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.
Myocarditis is a disease marked by inflammation and damage of the heart muscle. Although the exact incidence of myocarditis is not known, it is estimated that several thousand patients per year are diagnosed in the United States. Myocarditis usually attacks otherwise healthy people. It is believed that 5 to 20% of all cases of sudden death in young adults are due to myocarditis.
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). Exactly how many people are affected is hard to know because it often has no symptoms.
Many people who get myocarditis are otherwise healthy. Many things can lead to it. The best ways to prevent it are to treat infections quickly and stop them from happening.
*Causes*
Viral infection is the most common cause of myocarditis.
When you have one, your body produces cells to fight it. These cells release chemicals. If the disease-fighting cells enter your heart , some chemicals they release can inflame your heart muscle.
Some things that can cause myocarditis include:
1. Coxsackie B viruses
2. Epstein-Barr virus ( EBV)
3. Cytomegalovirus ( CMV )
4. Hepatitis C
5. Herpes
6. HIV
7. Parvovirus
8. Chlamydia (a common sexually transmitted disease )
9. Mycoplasma (bacteria that cause a lung infection)
10. Streptococcal (strep) bacteria
Staphylococcal ( staph ) bacteria
11. Treponema (the cause of syphilis )
12. Borrelia (the cause of Lyme disease )
: *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?*
The majority of cases of myocarditis have no symptoms and are not diagnosed. However, when a person develops symptoms, common tests for myocarditis include the following:
1. An Electrocardiogram
Electrical activity of your heart is detected by electrodes taped to your skin. This activity is recorded as waves that represent the electrical forces in the different parts of the heart.
2. A Chest X-Ray
A chest X-ray produces an image on film that outlines your heart, lungs and other structures in your chest. From a chest X-ray, your physician learns information such as the size and shape of your heart.
3. An Echocardiogram (abbreviated echo)
Sound waves (too high-pitched to be heard) are used to make an image of your heart or analyze blood flow. The sound waves are sent into your body from a transducer, a small plastic device. The sound waves are reflected back from internal structures, returning to the transducer and producing images of the heart and its structures.
4. Less frequently, a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be done to diagnose myocarditis. An MRI creates images using a magnetic field and radio waves.
5. Occasionally, a heart biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis.
*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.
Rarely, if an abnormal heart rhythm is present, treatment may require additional medications, a pacemaker or even a defibrillator.
: *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.
No comments
Post a Comment