How is myocarditis detected?

Written by Zhou Yan

Geriatrics

Updated on September 12, 2024

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The diagnosis of myocarditis includes several aspects: The electrocardiogram may show STT changes, or various arrhythmias. Chest radiography may reveal an enlarged cardiac silhouette, while an echocardiogram may be normal or show left ventricular enlargement. Magnetic resonance imaging may show myocardial edema or congestion. Biochemical examinations may reveal elevated levels of troponin and myocardial enzymes, as well as increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. Additional diagnostic methods include etiological examinations, which can identify viral infections through blood or stool samples. Furthermore, endocarditis or myocardial biopsy can provide definitive diagnosis.

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Written by Zhou Yan

Geriatrics

38sec

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Can people with myocarditis drink alcohol?

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium. Its pathogenesis is due to direct damage to the myocardium caused by viruses, and the interaction of the virus with the body's immune response to both myocardial injury and microvascular damage, which impairs the structure and function of the myocardial tissue. Drinking alcohol affects the myocardium and can also cause damage to it. Therefore, alcohol should not be consumed with myocarditis, as drinking can further aggravate the myocardium, leading to heart failure.

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Written by Yao Li Qin

Pediatrics

43sec

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Is pediatric myocarditis curable?

Myocarditis in children is generally caused by a viral infection, which means viral myocarditis is the most common type. This condition indicates that the virus has damaged the myocardial cells, leading to severe symptoms such as heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Once myocarditis is diagnosed in a child, it is crucial to hospitalize and treat them actively. While treating myocarditis, it is essential to use medications that nourish the myocardium and actively treat the primary disease. Most children with myocarditis have a favorable prognosis, but fulminant myocarditis has a poor prognosis, carrying a certain risk of mortality.

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Written by Xiao Chang Jiang

Cardiology

1min 41sec

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How is myocarditis treated?

Let's talk about how myocarditis is treated. Myocarditis is actually considered a self-limiting disease with no specific cure. However, treatment generally revolves around symptomatic treatment, combining conventional care and symptom management. For general treatment, bed rest is highly recommended for patients suffering from acute viral myocarditis to reduce the strain on the heart. Patients suffering from severe arrhythmias or heart failure are advised to rest in bed for at least one month and are not allowed to participate in strenuous physical labor for six months. For those without cardiac morphological or functional changes, rest for half a month is recommended, followed by avoiding heavy physical activity for three months. Additional antiviral treatments, such as interferon-alpha and Astragalus membranaceus, may be used; protective cardiac therapies or immunotherapies may also be administered. Symptomatic treatment mainly targets patients with severe heart failure or severe arrhythmias, following conventional treatment protocols for these conditions. For patients with complete atrioventricular block, temporary pacemakers may be used, and permanent pacemakers can be installed depending on the situation if the block cannot be resolved. Depending on the type of arrhythmia, antiarrhythmic medications like beta-blockers, amiodarone, and others may also be used. As each patient's cause of illness, severity, and physical constitution vary, it is essential to undergo personalized treatment under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Zhou Yan

Geriatrics

37sec

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post-myocarditis syndrome

Patients with myocarditis generally have a self-limiting condition; it can heal completely without any treatment. However, sometimes, some myocarditis cases are fulminant, leading to acute heart failure or sudden death. For self-limiting diseases, since the condition is relatively mild, not receiving timely treatment can leave sequelae, such as some dilated cardiomyopathies, which are often due to the transformation from myocarditis. Therefore, for patients with myocarditis, we should follow up and conduct regular reviews to avoid the occurrence of dilated cardiomyopathy.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei

Cardiology

54sec

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Can you exercise with myocarditis?

Patients with myocarditis should avoid exercising. Myocarditis is caused by acute or chronic damage to the myocardium due to viral infections. After contracting myocarditis, patients may experience palpitations and shortness of breath; severe cases can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiogenic shock. For myocarditis, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for recovery. Patients with myocarditis must rest in bed, minimize physical activity, consume easily digestible foods, and eat a variety of vitamins and minerals through vegetables and fruits to maintain regular bowel movements. Effective antiviral drugs and treatments that nourish the myocardium should be used to help the damaged myocardium recover as soon as possible.