Did you know that neglecting to treat a viral or bacterial infection may lead to myocarditis?
What is myocarditis?
Myocarditis is an inflammatory condition that affects the muscle due to a viral or bacterial infection, or other health reasons. Its ability to pump blood normally is reduced and weakened, which also affects the sac surrounding the heart. The severity of the inflammation varies from one case to another. There are different types of inflammation, such as:
- Fulminant myocarditis.
- Eosinophilic myocarditis.
- Lymphocytic myocarditis.
- Giant cell myocarditis.
Symptoms of myocarditis
In the beginning, the symptoms of myocarditis may not appear clearly on the patient depending on the degree of inflammation, but gradually the signs appear one by one, and they include:
- الحمى.
- Anorexia.
- ضيق في التنفس.
- Abdominal and chest pain.
- Extreme fatigue and weakness.
- Dizziness and fainting.
- Swelling in the legs and feet.
- Inability to do any activity.
- Heart palpitations with arrhythmia.
Causes of myocarditis
In some cases, the causes of myocarditis may be unknown, and sometimes doctors explain it as an infection or other health problems, such as:
- Viral infection such as influenza virus, Coxsackie virus, or herpes VI virus.
- A bacterial or fungal infection, but fungi rarely cause myocarditis.
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
- In many cases, rheumatic fever causes many heart problems.
- Taking some medications for a long time, such as treating seizures or antidepressants.
يمكنك قراءة احتشاء عضلة القلب Causes, symptoms and treatment methods
Diagnosis of myocarditis
The patient usually undergoes several methods that help accurately diagnose myocarditis and begin a sound treatment plan. The most important of these methods are:
- Analysis of cardiac enzymes, which are elevated when there is inflammation of the heart muscle.
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to show areas of damage in heart tissue.
- Tests to detect any viral infection or immune disease causing the disease.
- A chest X-ray is performed to detect an enlarged heart or fluid retention in the lungs.
- Ultrasound imaging of the heart to detect weakness in the movement of the heart walls.
- Perform an electrocardiogram to detect any disturbances in the electrical rhythm of the heart.
Complications of myocarditis
If treatment is neglected or an incorrect treatment method is followed, it can lead to complications of myocarditis, which include:
- Heart rhythm disturbances due to damage to the heart's electrical system.
- As the muscle weakens and is unable to pump blood, the patient may suffer from heart failure.
- The risk of blood clots in the brain, which exposes the patient to a stroke.
- The heart loses its ability to pump blood, resulting in a severe drop in blood pressure and organ failure.
- In some cases, the heart muscle may stretch and weaken, leading to injury Cardiomyopathy Expansive.
Treatment of myocarditis
After a complete diagnosis of the condition is made, a treatment plan for myocarditis is drawn up, which aims to treat the cause behind the myocarditis. The doctor recommends rest and reducing physical effort while taking medications such as:
- Painkillers: They are necessary to relieve pain resulting from inflammation of the heart muscle, the most important of which are paracetamol and ibuprofen.
- Diuretic medications: which help reduce fluid accumulation and retention if the patient suffers from heart muscle weakness.
- Corticosteroids: These are immunosuppressive drugs used in the case of inflammation resulting from an immune disorder or disease.
- Antibiotics or antivirals: If the inflammation is due to a bacterial infection, antibiotics are necessary, but in the case of a viral infection, the doctor recommends antiviral medications.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: Beta-blocker medications ACE Inhibitors greatly help improve heart function and reduce stress resulting from the disease.
Treatment of emergency cases
In some severe emergency cases, the doctor decides the necessity of installing assistive devices for the heart, such as a ventricular assist device for pumping blood. In other advanced cases, the doctor decides the necessity of performing a heart transplant because the patient is exposed to heart failure and does not respond to any other treatments.
How to prevent myocarditis
“Prevention is better than cure.” This saying summarizes many of the instructions that we must follow to prevent myocarditis, which are recommended by doctors at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, and they include:
- Prevent viral infections by avoiding mixing or sharing tools with anyone infected.
- Obtaining the necessary vaccinations to avoid recurrence of influenza or any viral infection.
- Avoid medications that harm the heart, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or harmful herbal supplements.
- Controlling chronic diseases, such as keeping blood pressure and sugar levels constantly normal.
- Promoting heart health through healthy nutrition, drinking plenty of water, and exercising regularly, especially walking.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking, as they are a time bomb that weakens the immune system and negatively affects the heart.
- If you feel symptoms such as severe chest pain, shortness of breath, or unexplained fatigue, you should go to the doctor immediately before the symptoms worsen.
Book your consultation now at مركز القلب والأوعية الدموية At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.
Myocarditis can be controlled if you go immediately to a specialist doctor and start the correct treatment plan, and this is what Al-Mousa Specialist Hospital in Al-Ahsa guarantees for you. There is an elite group of the best cardiologists in the Arab world with an integrated unit to diagnose the disease with high efficiency and determine effective treatment methods. Just contact us and begin the treatment journey.
الاسئلة الشائعه
We receive many frequently asked questions about myocarditis and how to diagnose it, so we will learn about them in detail below:
How is heart muscle pain?
In case of inflammation, myocardial pain is often in the middle of the chest or on the left side. It is a sharp or stabbing pain that increases with deep breathing, and is accompanied by shortness of breath and palpitations.
Is myocarditis dangerous?
Yes, in some cases, myocarditis may pose a threat to a person’s health, causing the heart’s ability to pump blood to decrease, and fluid to accumulate around the heart, which puts pressure on it and affects its function, with an irregular heartbeat.
How do I get rid of myocarditis?
Myocarditis can be eliminated by immediately going to the doctor and starting treatment such as controlling bacterial or viral infections, in addition to medications that help strengthen the heart muscle, with complete rest and avoiding stressful activities.
How do I know if I have myocarditis?
It is not possible to confirm that you have myocarditis except through medical diagnosis by a certified doctor, performing the necessary x-rays and tests, along with a clinical examination and detecting symptoms of the disease.
Sources and references
Myocarditis – clevelandclinic
