What Is Myocarditis?
Our blood is essential to us. It is a fluid that allows essential resources to be transported throughout the body. It travels in a network of vessels that carries blood even to the parts furthest away from the center of the body. A key component of this system is our hearts, which are biological pumps that help to force the blood around the body.
If something was to go wrong with this pump then the rest of the system will begin to fail, and this can be very dangerous for us. Some medical conditions can cause the muscles of the heart to become inflamed and this can affect the heart’s ability to function. This is a condition known as myocarditis, and it can be dangerous.
1. Myocarditis
The myocardium is the technical medical name for the heart’s muscles. These muscles are very important to us because they ensure that our heart can supply our body with all the nutrition and oxygen that we need. Because we rely on these supplies, it is essential that the muscles of our heart remain healthy and well.
Taking care of these muscles generally means plenty of exercise and eating a healthy diet. Even people that do take good care of their hearts are not safe from developing problems, however, and even the fittest of people can develop myocarditis. This is the medical term for the inflammation of the heart’s muscles, and there are a number of potential causes.
2. Bacteria
Bacteria are everywhere. The good news is that the vast majority of them are harmless to us, and some are even very helpful. A small number of them can be harmful to us, however, and they can be very dangerous if we are not careful. Some can even pose a threat to our hearts.
Streptococcus can cause an infection of the heart that can result in myocarditis. Other bacteria sometimes responsible include staphylococcus, and also borrelia burgdorferi, which is responsible for Lyme disease. These conditions can usually be treated with antibiotics and should be done so as soon as possible.
3. Viruses
Viruses are another microscopic threat they can be a real danger to us. They are not usually considered to be a form of life, and are little more than a tiny package of DNA or RNA. They are unable to reproduce by themselves, and they need to hijack the cells of living creatures in order to do so.
Some viral diseases are relatively mild, and some are responsible for the common cold. Others, however, can pose a very real threat to our lives. Some can cause myocarditis, and these include the Hep B virus, the herpes simplex virus, and the parvovirus. The Epstein-Barr virus, rubella, and echoviruses can also cause the infection.
4. Parasites
Evolution has seen different living organisms finding countless different ways to survive. One solution that has evolved is to live directly off nutrients from other living things. These living beings are known as parasites, and there are countless varieties of them. Some will even use human beings as their host.
One potential cause of myocarditis is Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite that causes Chagas disease. This is a disease found mostly in Central and South America and is spread by an insect known as the kissing bug. Toxoplasma is another potential cause of myocarditis, and it is spread when people eat undercooked meat.
5. Fungi
Fungi are also everywhere, and their spores are often found floating in the air that you breathe. They are usually harmless to us and our immune systems are usually able to deal with any fungus that might find its way into our body before they can do harm. This is not always the case, however.
There are some fungi that can cause infections that can lead to myocarditis. One example of this is aspergillus, and histoplasma is another example. Candida is another example and it is a very common fungus that is probably already on or inside your body somewhere. Candida is usually harmless but it can cause problems in some cases.
6. Medications
Certain medications might also be responsible for causing myocarditis if they cause an allergic reaction. These include some antibiotics, some drugs that are used to treat cancer, and some medications that are used to try and prevent seizures. Some recreational drugs such as cocaine will also result in myocarditis in a small number of cases.
People that work around certain chemicals will also need to be careful to help prevent myocarditis and the appropriate safety equipment should be used at all times. Some radiation treatments can also be responsible for causing myocarditis. If you are experiencing unwelcome symptoms from using medication then you should let your doctor known straight away.
7. Other Diseases
It is extremely important to deal with even minor infections because they can quickly worsen. They can also spread to other parts of the body, potentially resulting in some very dangerous complications. If a disease does appear to be affecting other parts of the body then it is important to get medical help as soon as possible.
Other diseases that can cause myocarditis also include Takayasu’s arteritis and giant cell arteritis. Arteritis is an inflammation of the arteries that can result in permanent damage. There is also Wegener’s granulomatosis, which causes the inflammation of tissues including blood vessels. Lupus, a type of autoimmune condition, is another potential cause of myocarditis.
8. Symptoms
Myocarditis will sometimes not show any symptoms, or the symptoms will only be mild. In some cases, however, the symptoms can go on to develop into something more serious, so it should be treated if the condition is suspected. If the condition does progress, the symptoms and their severity can vary.
Typical symptoms include shortness of breath and chest pain, both of which can be mild or severe. An abnormal heartbeat is also common, and some patients will experience swollen feet and ankles in a condition known as edema. The patient might also be showing other symptoms that are typical of infections, including a fever, joint pain, and a headache.
9. Complications
While myocarditis is not always severe, it can go on to become very serious indeed. If left untreated, the inflammation can go on to cause permanent damage to the heart. This can result in heart failure, which means the heart will not be able to work as effectively as it usually would.
Myocarditis can result in a heart attack, which means blood is no longer reaching the heart muscle. It can also lead to a sudden cardiac arrest, which means that the heart has stopped beating altogether. Myocarditis can also lead to a stroke in some cases. The good news is that these problems can usually be avoided if the patient is found suitable treatment in time.
10. Treatment
Myocarditis will often pass on its own without treatment, and the patient may not even have been aware that they had it. Even when symptoms are present, the patient will often make a complete recovery with no lasting damage done. Treatment is necessary in a lot of cases, however.
Treatment for myocarditis will depend largely on the underlying cause of the condition. It will often involve medication such as antibiotics or antiviral medicines. The patient should also avoid taking part in activities such as exercise until cleared by a health professional. It may also be necessary to treat complications of the disease, such as heart failure, if they are present.
