What're the symptoms of myocarditis?
The symptoms of myocarditis depend on the cause and severity. For example, many people with uncomplicated myocarditis caused by coxsackievirus don't have any symptoms, and their only sign of heart inflammation is a temporary abnormal result
on an electrocardiogram (EKG), a test that measures the heart's electrical activity. Other people have fever, chest pain, cardiac arrhythmias (abnormally fast, slow or irregular heartbeats), sudden loss of consciousness (syncope), or signs of heart failure (shortness of breath, leg swelling).
Patients with acute myocarditis and chronic myocarditis experience different symptoms. In acute myocarditis, individuals may experience fever, chest pains, a sensation of skipped heart beat (palpitations), dyspnea and fatigue. In patients with chronic myocarditis, fatigue, a sensation of skipped heart beats, shortness of breath and chest pains may be experienced.
Since myocarditis is often due to a viral illness, many patients give a history of symptoms consistent with a recent viral infection, including fever, joint pains, and easy fatigueability. Myocarditis is often associated with pericarditis, and many patients present with signs and symptoms that suggest concurrent myocarditis and pericarditis. |
