Is myocarditis easy to treat?

Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
Updated on September 27, 2024
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Myocarditis refers to the inflammatory disease of the myocardium. Symptoms of myocarditis can vary greatly; some individuals may exhibit no symptoms, while others may experience cardiogenic shock or sudden death. Currently, there are no specific treatments for myocarditis. Patients should avoid exertion, rest appropriately, and receive nutritional support. It is advised to encourage patients to consume a diet that is easy to digest and rich in vitamins and proteins. For asymptomatic patients, attention should be paid to rest and nutrition. However, in cases where there is left ventricular dysfunction, treatment primarily supports these symptoms. For instance, in the event of heart failure, diuretics, vasodilators, or ACE inhibitors might be administered. Most cases of myocarditis are self-limiting, but there are occasional instances of fulminant or severe myocarditis, which should be taken seriously. Therefore, the treatability of myocarditis is related to the extent and location of the pathological changes. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Xiao Chang Jiang
Cardiology
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What to eat for myocarditis?

For patients who already have myocarditis, what should we feed them? This is a question that confuses many people. In fact, patients with myocarditis should eat high-protein foods, high-vitamin foods, and those that are low in calories or easy to digest, such as a low-salt diet. It is recommended to eat small meals frequently and avoid foods that are spicy, heavily flavored, or irritating. For high-vitamin foods, the main choices include fruits, some vegetables, bean sprouts, kelp, seaweed, and black fungus, all of which are very good options. Low-calorie foods such as cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, job's tears, and papaya are also good choices. High-protein foods include soybeans, peanuts, seaweed, mushrooms, nuts, milk, lean meats, eggs, fish, shrimp, and more. We also recommend easily digestible foods, like millet porridge and noodles, as well as a low-salt diet, recommending a daily salt intake of no more than 3 grams for patients with myocarditis.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Manifestations of myocarditis

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium. Its manifestations depend on the extent and location of the condition; mild cases may have no symptoms, while severe cases can lead to cardiogenic shock and sudden death. Most patients experience precursor symptoms of viral infection one to three weeks before onset, such as fever, general fatigue, and muscle soreness, or gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Subsequently, they may experience palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and potentially fainting or sudden death. Clinically diagnosed myocarditis is mostly due to arrhythmias as the primary complaint, or patients seek treatment for common symptoms.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Is myocarditis nauseating?

For patients with myocarditis, they may experience palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, various arrhythmias, and edema, and even fainting or sudden death. If the diagnosis of myocarditis includes these conditions, one to three weeks prior to the onset, the patient might have symptoms of viral infections, such as nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms, or may have fever, general fatigue, muscle soreness, and other discomforts. However, not all cases of myocarditis will have symptoms of nausea, and nausea is not necessarily indicative of myocarditis, therefore there is no inevitable link between the two.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Criteria for Diagnosing Myocarditis

The diagnosis of myocarditis is primarily clinical, based on typical precursor symptoms, corresponding clinical manifestations, and physical signs. The precursor symptoms usually occur one to three weeks before the onset, including symptoms of a viral infection such as fever, general fatigue, and muscle soreness, or gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Subsequently, symptoms such as chest tightness, palpitations, difficulty breathing, and even fainting and sudden death may occur. The physical signs generally include arrhythmias, commonly premature atrial contractions, premature ventricular contractions, or conduction blocks. There may be an increased heart rate which does not correspond to the body temperature, and there could be the presence of second or third heart sounds or gallop rhythm. A minority of patients may show signs of heart failure. Tests can include electrocardiograms, enzymatic studies, or echocardiograms, and magnetic resonance imaging may show symptoms of myocardial injury. To confirm the diagnosis, an endomyocardial biopsy must be performed.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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How is myocarditis cured?

Myocarditis often has a self-limiting course, and viral infection is a common cause of myocarditis. Currently, there is no specific treatment for viral myocarditis. Treatments are divided into two main categories: general treatment, primarily consisting of rest. Generally, patients should rest in bed for more than three months, while also paying attention to their diet by eating easily digestible foods rich in vitamins and proteins. The second category is drug treatment, which mainly supports heart function. In cases of heart failure, diuretics, vasodilators, and ACE inhibitors should be administered. For arrhythmias, anti-arrhythmic treatment is necessary. If viral myocarditis is confirmed, antiviral treatment should be given. Additionally, drugs that enhance myocardial metabolism, such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate, coenzyme A, or adenosine triphosphate, should also be used. (Specific medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)