Myocarditis

1. Causes

1.1. Its hard to identify the exact cause of Myocarditis, but potential causes can be: viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, exposure to medication or illegal drugs that cause allergic or toxic reaction and chemical or radiation exposure. (Mayo)

2. Treatment

2.1. There are many different types of treatment for Myocarditis, for mild cases and more severe cases.

2.2. For mild causes your doctor might prescribe antibiotics to treat the underlying cause viral infection. (Mayo)

2.3. If you are experiencing abnormal heart rhythms your doctor might suggest drugs that help blood flow such as angiotension converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotension 2 blockers. (Mayo)

2.4. For more severe cases major treatments are suggested such as: intravenous medications, ventricular assist devices, intra-arotic balloon pump and extra corporeal membrane oxygenation. (Mayo)

3. Prevention

3.1. There is little prevention for myocarditis since the causes are partially unknown but are associated with viral infection.

3.2. Prevention's would be to follow good hygiene, avoid people with viral or flu like illnesses, avoid risky sex and drug behavior, and get vaccinated. (Mayo)

4. Diagnosis

4.1. Test such as: electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, MRI, blood test, and cardiac cauterization and endomyocardial biopsy will need to preformed to diagnose this disease. (Mayo)

5. What is it?

5.1. "Myocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium, the middle layer of the heart wall."(Mayo)

5.2. "Myocarditis can affect both the heart's muscle cells and the heart's electrical system, leading to reduction in the heart's pumping function and to irregular heart rhythms."(Mayo)

6. Symptoms

6.1. Chest Pain, abnormal heart rhythms, shortness of breathe, swelling of legs, ankles or feet, fatigue, and general viral infection symptoms.(Mayo).