Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle: the myocardium. The diseased muscle can no longer play its role as a pump allowing blood to circulate and heart failure can quickly set in. The cardiac systole, i.e. the contraction of the ventricles, becomes ineffective, it is an asystole.
Myocarditis Causes
Myocarditis is usually caused by a viral infection. It can be an infection of the respiratory tract, such as influenza, or of the gastrointestinal tract. Among the viruses responsible for myocarditis are parvovirus B19 and human herpesvirus type 6, as the Société de réanimation de langue française (SRLF) points out. But myocarditis can also be caused by a bacterial infection such as streptococcus or staphylococcus. This inflammation of the heart muscle can also have a non-infectious origin. In this case, certain autoimmune diseases such as sarcoidosis or Behçet’s disease may be involved. Substances that are toxic to the heart, such as alcohol or cocaine, can also cause myocarditis.
Myocarditis Symptoms
Myocarditis can, in some cases, be asymptomatic. However, the symptoms that may be indicative of this inflammation of the heart muscle and that require medical attention include
- chest pain
- Fatigue;
- fever
- shortness of breath
- Swelling of the legs;
- arrhythmia;
- palpitations.
Myocarditis Treatments
Myocarditis is a disease that should be monitored mainly for complications. The situation improves rapidly and when the blood tests are positive, the patient can leave the hospital. Treatment consists mainly of anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers (for chest pain). However, the patient must be vigilant and avoid any major effort in the first few weeks.
If, on the other hand, the heart function decreases as a result of myocarditis, the patient is prescribed stronger drugs to reduce the load on the heart muscle. If the heart muscle is too weak, intravenous injections are required to support the heart function.
Finally, in extreme situations of acute heart failure, the cardiologist uses various tools such as pacemakers, which take over the work of the tired heart. In the most critical cases, an emergency heart transplant is scheduled. The patient is then treated jointly by our cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.
In any case, taking home remedies will give the best results in a Myocarditis treatment: Myocarditis Home Remedies.