The layer that enables the contraction and relaxation of the heart and forms the heart muscle is called myocardium. In case of inflammation of the myocardium, the person’s health faces a serious problem. Inflammation of the heart muscle is also called myocarditis. This situation may manifest itself due to different reasons. Moreover, it is not a disease specific to any age group and even the unborn baby can experience this disease.
The heart, which plays an extremely important role in delivering blood to organs and tissues in the body, consists of three layers. The layer in the middle of these three main layers is the myocardium, that is, the heart muscle. Damage to the myocardium can lead to very serious and even fatal consequences. It is known that mainly bacteria, various viruses, fungi and any condition that damages the immune system can cause this disease.
What causes inflammation of the heart muscle?
Cardiac inflammatory disease, which can be seen in people of all ages, can occur for many reasons. This disease, which is known to progress more rapidly in people with low immunity, is a disease that can be seen due to various infections. Some of the conditions that cause heart muscle inflammation to occur include:
- Infectious causes (flu, cold and similar conditions)
- bacteria
- Too much alcohol or harmful substance use
- snake bite
- Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, also known as butterfly disease, causes red spots and rashes on the skin.
- Use of drugs with harmful effects
It has also been stated by expert doctors that Covid has also triggered this disease. Keeping immunity strong has been accepted as a condition that prevents the emergence of this disease.
What are the symptoms of heart muscle inflammation?
Myocarditis, which can develop due to any condition, can manifest itself in different ways. Some symptoms that appear to be symptoms of myocarditis may also be signs of other diseases. For this reason, it is important not to waste time in consulting a doctor, especially when several symptoms occur together.
Possible symptoms of heart muscle inflammation or myocarditis include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting, nausea
- Anorexia
- Excessive weight loss, even without dieting
- Skin discoloration and sallowness
- Fire
- Chills that come with fever
- joint pains
- Muscle pains
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Fainting
- swelling in the abdomen
- Edema in the feet and legs
- Rhythm disorders felt in the heart
- Fainting
- pain in chest
Is myocardia dangerous?
Advanced heart muscle inflammation can lead to very serious consequences. It is important not to delay starting treatment. The consequences of this disease, which can also cause heart failure, can even lead to cardiac arrest. Blood clotting is another negative consequence of this disorder. Stroke or heart attack are other risks that this disease may pose.
The use of anti-inflammatory drugs is also among the treatment methods in patients with acute myocarditis. In some cases, medications that should be used under the supervision of a doctor and with a doctor’s advice may be sufficient for the complete recovery of the disease.
At this point, doctors emphasize the importance of early diagnosis, like many other diseases. For this reason, it is considered extremely important for especially older people to go for check-ups at the intervals determined by doctors.
Is heart muscle inflammation dangerous?
Another important risk of heart muscle inflammation is that the symptoms of the disease may not be seen as disturbing and the disease may progress in an insidious way. It can cause cardiac arrest and death before the symptoms are noticed. Studies conducted for this disease have also revealed that there is a possibility of recurrence.
It has been stated that the initial decrease in the 1-year mortality rate, which is approximately 20% in this disease, may stabilize in the following 3 years. It is known that the patient should be monitored for 3 years or even more because there is a risk of recurrence of this disease in the recovered patient.