Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. When your heart muscle becomes inflamed, it can weaken over time and struggle to pump blood. When not treated, myocarditis can become severe enough to prevent the rest of your body from receiving an adequate amount of blood.
Myocarditis is relatively rare, and it is usually caused by an infection or virus that makes its way to the heart. Fortunately, this heart condition can be effectively treated with procedures including medications and surgery.
What Causes Myocarditis?
Infections, drugs, chemical exposure, and any other factor that triggers body-wide inflammation can cause myocarditis. Possible causes and risk factors of myocarditis include:
- Viruses, including COVID-19, the flu, and adenovirus
- Bacteria, including that which causes staphylococcus, chlamydia, and Lyme disease
- Parasites, including toxoplasma and Trypanosoma cruzi
- Fungi, including that which causes candida yeast infections
- Radiation exposure
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Exposure to chemicals and heavy metals
- Certain medications, including chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, and amphetamines
- Alcohol
- Cocaine
Symptoms of Myocarditis
Myocarditis doesn’t always cause symptoms, especially in its early stages. Any symptoms that do occur are usually similar to the flu. Common signs and symptoms of myocarditis include:
- Chest pain, similar to that which occurs during a heart attack
- Fatigue
- Joint pain or swelling
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Rapid heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in the legs
- Pale, cool hands and feet
- Fainting
- Low urine output
Contact your doctor right away if you think you may have myocarditis based on your symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to avoiding complications of this heart condition.
Complications of Myocarditis
When not detected or treated early, myocarditis can increase your risk for more serious health problems, including heart failure and sudden cardiac death.
Other complications of myocarditis include:
- Arrhythmia. This condition is characterized by rapid or irregular heart rate, which increases the risk of stroke.
- Cardiomyopathy. Also known as heart muscle disease, cardiomyopathy makes it difficult for the heart to deliver blood to the rest of the body.
- Pericarditis. This condition is inflammation of the pericardium—the sac-like membrane that surrounds the heart.
- Heart attack.
- Stroke.
Treatments for Myocarditis
The goal of myocarditis treatment is to reduce your symptoms and address the root cause of your condition. For example, if a certain medication is causing your myocarditis, your doctor may switch you to another medication that isn’t linked to drug-induced myocarditis.
Common treatments for myocarditis include medications, surgery, and healthy lifestyle changes. The treatment you receive depends on the circumstances surrounding your condition.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe one or more medications to treat myocarditis depending on its underlying cause.
Antibiotics may be used to treat a bacterial infection, while corticosteroids may be used to reduce swelling. Intravenous immunoglobulin may be used to fight infections and reduce inflammation, while heart medications such as beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors may be used to reduce the risk of problems like blood clots. You may also be given medications to treat underlying conditions that are contributing to myocarditis.
Surgery
In cases of myocarditis in which the heart muscle has been severely weakened, surgery may be performed to implant a pacemaker or defibrillator. These devices can help correct an abnormal heart rate. In rare instances, heart transplantation may be performed to replace a heart muscle that is no longer strong enough to pump blood.
Lifestyle Changes
Changing certain behaviors linked to myocarditis, such as that related to alcohol use, may reduce your symptoms. Lifestyle changes your doctor may recommend to improve your condition include:
- Stopping cocaine or amphetamine use
- Stopping the use of illicit intravenous drugs such as heroin and methamphetamine
- Reducing your alcohol intake
- Quitting smoking
- Eating foods with less salt and sodium
Ways to Reduce Your Risk
Being familiar with the causes and risk factors of myocarditis can often help you avoid this serious heart condition. Some of the best steps you can take to prevent myocarditis include:
- Not smoking
- Not using illicit drugs
- Staying abstinent from alcohol, or drinking only in moderation
- Eating heart-healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish
- Washing your hands frequently to avoid infections
- Practicing good oral health
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
- Following workplace safety guidelines if you work around dangerous chemicals
- Avoiding medications that are associated with myocarditis
- Managing your autoimmune condition as best as possible
Have a conversation with your doctor if you meet one or more risk factors for myocarditis. Your doctor can review your medical history, talk to you about your lifestyle, and run the necessary diagnostic tests to find out if you have this condition.
Resource Links
- “Myocarditis” via MedlinePlus
- “Myocarditis and Pericarditis After mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination” via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- “Drug-Induced Toxic Myocarditis” via National Library of Medicine
- “Heart Inflammation Causes and Risk Factors” via National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute