Definition:

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the myocardium.  The heart has three layers of tissue, the outer layer (epicardium), the muscular middle layer (myocardium), and the inner layer (endocardium).  The myocardium is responsible for the actual contraction/relaxation of the heart in order to pump blood throughout the body.  There are several causes of myocarditis, including: infection (viral, bacterial, fungal), diphtheria, rheumatic fever, drug/chemical poisoning, and tuberculosis.

Symptoms:

• Symptoms of cold/flu (fever, chest ache, fatigue)
• Trouble breathing
• Abnormal heart rhythms (that can lead to fainting, joint pain, swelling of the legs due to fluid)
• Scar tissue leading to congestive heart failure

Diagnosis:

• Hard to diagnose
• Stethoscope - rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Blood test - to see signs of inflammation and to test for antibodies against heart muscle
• Chest X-Ray - may see signs of heart failure through fluid buildup in lungs (pulmonary edema)
• Echocardiography - to see size and cycles of the heart (weak heart muscle, enlarged heart, or fluid around heart)
• Electrocardiograph - use heart rhythm to determine size and function of heart atria and ventricles
• Biopsy of heart muscle - to see if infected (rare)

Treatment:

• Analgesics (pain killers) - relieve pain
• Anti-inflammatory drugs - relieve pain
• Antibiotics - for bacterial infection
• Low salt diet
• Diuretics to remove fluid from lungs, legs, etc.