Causes
Often, the cause of myocarditis isn’t identified but here are many potential causes risk of developing myocarditis is rare.
Potential causes of myocarditis include:
- Viruses – Many viruses are commonly associated with myocarditis, including the viruses, bacteria, fungus infections that cause the common cold (adenovirus); COVID-19, arona virus, omicron; hepatitis B and C; parvovirus, which causes a mild rash, usually in children (fifth disease); and herpes simplex virus. Gastrointestinal infections (echoviruses), mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), and German measles (rubella) also can cause myocarditis in severe conditions. It’s also common in people with HIV, low immunity the virus that causes AIDS.
- Bacteria – Bacteria that can cause myocarditis include staphylococcus, streptococcus, covid – 19 the bacterium that causes diphtheria, and the tick-borne bacterium responsible for Lyme disease.
- Parasites – Among these are such parasites as Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma, including some that are transmitted by insects, rate and can cause a condition called Chagas disease. Chagas disease is also much more common in Central and South America than in the United States, but it can occur in travelers frequently and in immigrants from that part of the world.
- Fungi – Yeast infections, such as candida; molds, such as aspergillus; and other fungi, such as Histoplasma, often seen in bird droppings, can sometimes cause autoimmune myocarditis, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.
Myocarditis also sometimes occurs if you’re exposed to:
- Medications or illegal and overdosage drugs that might cause an allergic or toxic reaction – These include drugs used to treat cancer; antibiotics, such as penicillin and sulfonamide drugs; some anti-seizure medications; NSAIDs and some illegal substances, such as cocaine.
- Chemicals or radiation – Exposure to certain toxic chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, and radiation can sometimes cause myocarditis.
- Other diseases. These include disorders such as lupus, Wegener’s granulomatosis, giant cell arteritis, covid – 19, and Takayasu’s arteritis.
Symptoms
If you’re in the early stages of myocarditis, you might have mild symptoms such as chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeats, anxiety, or shortness of breath. Some people with early-stage myocarditis may have no symptoms.
The signs and symptoms of myocarditis vary, depending on the cause of the disease, occupation, weather, races. Common myocarditis signs and symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias)
- Shortness of breath, at rest or during activity
- Fluid buildup with swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet
- Fatigue
- Other signs and symptoms of a viral infection such as a headache, body aches, joint pain, multiple joint pain, neck pain, fever, a sore throat, nausea- vomitting or diarrhea etc.
Sometimes, myocarditis symptoms may be similar to a heart attack. If you are having unexplained chest pain and shortness of breath, seek emergency medical help.
Myocarditis in children
When children develop myocarditis, they might have signs and symptoms including:
- Fever
- Fainting
- Breathing difficulties
- Rapid breathing
- Chest pain
- Rapid or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Complications
Usually, myocarditis goes away without permanent complications or treatment. However, severe myocarditis can permanently damage your heart muscle, possibly causing:
- Heart failure. Untreated, myocarditis can damage your heart’s muscle so that it can’t pump blood effectively. In severe cases, myocarditis-related heart failure may require a ventricular assist device or a heart transplant.
- Heart attack or stroke. If your heart’s muscle is injured and can’t pump blood, the blood that collects in your heart can form clots. If a clot blocks one of your heart’s arteries, you can have a heart attack. If a blood clot in your heart travels to an artery leading to your brain, you can have a stroke.
- Rapid or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Damage to your heart muscle can cause arrhythmia.
- Sudden cardiac death. Certain serious arrhythmias can cause your heart to stop beating (sudden cardiac arrest). It’s deadly if not treated immediately.
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of myocarditis, particularly chest pain and shortness of breath. Symptoms of myocarditis can resemble a heart attack. Get emergency medical help if you have unexplained chest pain and shortness of breath.
If you’ve had an infection, watch for the symptoms of myocarditis and let your doctor know if they occur. If you have severe symptoms, go to the emergency room or call for emergency medical help.
