What is Myocarditis?

The myocardium, or muscle around the heart, can get infected or inflamed in the body. When this inflammation occurs, doctors call that myocarditis. It has clear signs and symptoms, if varied. If there is any strange feelings in the chest cavity area, one should see an emergency healthcare provider so that they can do a cardiac workup. Typically all the signs and symptoms will be due to an infection in the myocardium.
How many people that have myocarditis is unknown but usually it turns up in 1-9% of all autopsies that are reviewed. It is more common in young adults (20%) and those with HIV infections (50%). There are some treatments where the patient gets bed rest and ACE inhibitors, digoxin, and diuretics. If no response is from those items, some heart transplants are done.Getting fast treatment is a key to the prognosis of the condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Myocarditis

Some of the signs and symptoms will depend on what is causing the myocarditis. Basic symptoms include:

Congestive heart failure. Heart palpitations. Chest Pain Fever Sudden death

If caused by a viral condition there will be:

Rash Diarrhea Fatigue Joint pain

What Causes Myocarditis

There are several things that can cause myocarditis in people. Some of these are:

Fungal infections

Bacterial infections

Viral infections

Parasitic infections

Drug toxins (chemotherapy, antipsychotics)

Radiation

Electric Shock

Allergic Reaction

Heart Transplant rejection

Heavy metal toxins

Autoantigens (lupus, sarcoidosis)

Other Toxins

Myocarditis Diagnosed

The condition can be detected from raised C Reactive protein or with some ECG (electrocardiogram) results. If there is any debate on whether it is myocarditis or not, a biopsy can always be done where a small sample is taken and examined. There are times when a cMRI (a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging) can be used to diagnose. If there is any symptom that you are experiencing that could be an inflammation or infection in the chest wall, don't take chances and schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Myocarditis is a serious inflammation affecting the chest wall that can result in sudden cardiac death. If you have any heart palpitations, fever, and chest pain together, go see a healthcare professional immediately for a complete cardiac workup. Take a proactive view of your cardiac health and don't be guessing what is healthy and what is not. Better to be safe and it be indigestion, than sorry when it's a heart attack or myocarditis.