Myocarditis

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Heart, front view

Heart, section through the middle

Lymph tissue in the head and neck.

Inflammation - heart muscle

Treatment includes evaluation and treatment of underlying cause. This may require use of antibiotics, reduced level of activity, and low-salt diet. Steroids and other medications may be used to reduce inflammation. Diuretic medicines are also given to remove body water via the urine.

If the heart muscle is very weak, standard medicines to treat heart failure are also used. Abnormal heart rhythm may require the use of additional medications, a pacemaker or even a defibrillator. If a blood clot is present in the heart chamber, blood thinning medicine is given as well.

Myocarditis is very variable and the prognosis depends on the cause and the individual patient. Some may recover completely, while others may have permanent heart failure.

• Heart failure
• Pericarditis
• Cardiomyopathy

Call your health care provider if symptoms of myocarditis occur, especially after a recent infection.

If you have myocarditis, call your health care provider (or get to the emergency room if symptoms are severe) if you experience increased swelling, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or other new symptoms.

Review Date: 07/17/2006
Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.