Did you know there are approximately 7.6 million people living with circulatory diseases in the UK alone? Myocarditis is one of these conditions.
Here, Dr Oliver Guttmann, highly experienced consultant cardiologist who specialises in treating myocarditis, provides an expert insight into the symptoms and how the condition is treated.
Myocarditis, meaning inflammation of the heart, is a circulatory condition. It can reduce the heart’s ability to pump blood and can cause abnormal heart rhythms.
While most people who have myocarditis usually recover without any complications, in some cases, myocarditis can be severe and lead to damage to the heart.
Myocarditis can affect anyone, at any age. It can often occur in people with no history of other illnesses. People who have myocarditis usually develop symptoms one to two weeks after the initial viral illness.
Symptoms of myocarditis include:
Myocarditis is most commonly caused by:
The condition is usually detected through some common tests including:
Other diagnostic tests may include:
Treatment usually depends on what symptoms the person has, and what the cause of the condition is. This often involves close monitoring, treatment for heart failure and medication, including anti-inflammatory medicines. Sometimes, drugs are used to suppress the immune system.
Many patients present with chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations following a coronavirus infection. Damage to the heart can occur in up 40 per cent of cases. This includes damage to the heart by infection of the heart muscle but also heart attacks caused by blood clots.
For more information regarding myocarditis, don't hesitate to get in contact with leading consultant cardiologist, Dr Oliver Guttmann, via his Top Doctors profile today.
