What is myocarditis?
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. It is most often triggered by a viral infection and can range from a mild, self-limiting illness to a condition that weakens the heart’s pumping function. Most people recover fully, but some need ongoing heart care.
What causes it?
- Viral infections (the most common cause), often in the days or weeks after a respiratory or gut illness
- Autoimmune conditions
- Reactions to certain medications
- Sometimes no clear cause is found
Symptoms
- Chest pain or tightness
- Breathlessness, especially on exertion
- Palpitations or an irregular heartbeat
- Unusual tiredness
- Fever in the early phase
When to seek care
New chest pain, breathlessness at rest, fainting or fast irregular palpitations should be assessed urgently — call your local emergency services or go to an emergency department. Even mild symptoms after a viral illness deserve a prompt medical opinion, because early rest and treatment protect the heart.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves an ECG, blood tests that measure heart-muscle damage, an echocardiogram and often a cardiac MRI. A heart-muscle biopsy is rarely needed.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on rest, treating the underlying cause when one is found, and supporting the heart with medicines while it recovers. People whose pumping function is affected are followed by a cardiologist, sometimes for years. Strenuous exercise is usually avoided during recovery.
Related: cardiomyopathy · heart failure · arrhythmias