Cardiac muscle is located in the walls of the large veins that discharge blood to the heart, which is responsible for pumping blood to all internal organs. Cardiac muscle, also known as myocardium, is defined as the muscle layer of the heart. The heart muscle requires much more oxygen and energy than other mechanisms of the body. This muscle can be damaged for various reasons and problems may occur in the system it creates.
What is myocarditis?
Myocarditis is a disease of the heart muscle. The cardiac muscle ensures the contraction and relaxation of the heart. The layer that forms the heart muscle is also called myocardium. Inflammation of the myocardium is a condition that seriously damages vital functions. It is quite dangerous and should be intervened as soon as symptoms appear.
Especially after a certain age, regular check-ups should be done to prevent heart diseases or to ensure early intervention in case of a possible problem. The recommendations of specialist doctors should be strictly followed and situations that would disrupt the functioning of the heart should be avoided.
Inflammation of the heart muscle is a seriously life-threatening disease. The symptoms of the disease may not always show themselves very clearly. For this reason, it is necessary to have check-ups at the intervals recommended by specialist doctors. As with every disease, early diagnosis is extremely important in heart muscle disease.
Symptoms of heart muscle inflammation include:
- Feeling pain in the chest
- Fire
- Paleness and pallor of the skin
- Body fatigue felt more than normal
- Irregular or very fast heartbeats
- Excessive swelling in ankles and legs
- While resting or walking etc. experiencing shortness of breath
- joint pains
- Muscle pains
- Nausea
- Cough
- Weight loss without any diet
- decreased appetite
What causes heart muscle inflammation?
Heart muscle inflammation is a condition that can occur due to various reasons. Some conditions that can cause heart muscle inflammation include:
- Infections caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi or viruses in different parts of the body
- Some autoimmune (diseases in which the immune system is disrupted and negatively affects its own tissues) disorders
- Weakening of the immune system
- Mushrooms
- Diarrhea
- viral infections
- Bacteria that also cause Lyme disease
- Lupus and similar systemic disorders
- Some antibiotics or medications that cause toxic reactions
- malaria disease
- snake bite
- alcohol use
It has been announced that the Covid virus can also cause inflammation of the heart muscle, especially due to the pandemic process experienced in recent years. It is estimated that it is a condition that threatens coronary artery patients more than healthy individuals with a strong immune system. This problem may even cause a heart attack or blockage in the cardiovascular vessels.
According to statements made by experts, heart muscle inflammation can also be seen in children. In addition, infections experienced by pregnant women can also be transmitted to the unborn baby. Infection transmitted to the baby can also cause inflammation of the heart muscle.
Is there a treatment for heart muscle inflammation?
When you go to a specialist doctor in line with your symptoms, both the symptoms and the patient’s medical history are evaluated and detailed information is obtained. Blood test, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, chest x-ray and holter are some of the tests performed when this disease is suspected.
Medications are generally used to treat myocarditis. Because heart muscle inflammation may cause heart rhythm problems or the possibility of heart failure. These drugs, which are given to support heart functions, also prevent arrhythmia from increasing. If there is edema in the body, medications that ensure healthy fluid flow can also be given.
If the inflammation is very severe, different treatment methods such as ventricular assist device and aortic pump can be used. If improvement cannot be achieved with other treatment methods, heart transplantation, which is considered the last treatment option for this disease, may be needed.