At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.
Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has been recognized as one of the top Cardiology & Heart Surgery hospitals in the nation for 2014-2015 by U.S. News & World Report.
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium, the middle layer of the heart wall. Myocarditis is usually caused by a viral infection. Signs and symptoms of myocarditis include chest pain, heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms.
If myocarditis becomes severe, the pumping action of your heart weakens, and your heart won't be able to supply the rest of your body with enough blood. Clots also could form in your heart, leading to a stroke or heart attack.
Treatment for myocarditis depends on the underlying cause.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
In mild cases, myocarditis may have no noticeable symptoms. You may feel ill and have general symptoms of a viral infection and never realize your heart is affected.
In serious cases, the signs and symptoms of myocarditis vary, depending on the cause of the disease. Common myocarditis symptoms include:
When children develop myocarditis, they may have these signs and symptoms:
Call your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of myocarditis, particularly chest pain and shortness of breath. If you've had an infection, be alert for the symptoms of myocarditis and let your doctor know if they occur. If you have severe symptoms, go to the emergency room or call for emergency medical personnel.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Often, the exact cause of an individual case of myocarditis isn't identified. However, there are numerous potential causes of myocarditis, such as:
Myocarditis also sometimes occurs if you're exposed to:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.
If your doctor suspects myocarditis, he or she may also order one or more tests in addition to asking you questions and examining you to make a diagnosis of myocarditis and determine the severity of your condition, including:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
When myocarditis is severe, it can permanently damage your heart muscle. This damage may cause:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
There's no specific prevention for myocarditis. However, taking these steps to prevent infections may help:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Rest and reducing the workload on your heart is an important part of recovery. Your doctor will likely tell you what type of physical activity you can perform during the several months while your heart heals. Ask your doctor when you can resume normal activities.
If you have any lingering heart damage, it's also important to consume a low-salt diet, restrict the amount of fluids you drink and avoid smoking. Your doctor will let you know what your fluid intake should be, as well as the amount of salt that's OK for you to eat.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
We respect your privacy and aim for the best website experience in compliance with local laws. Allowing cookies enables a tailored experience, while disabling them may reduce personalization. For more information, please read our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.