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 Zhang Yue Mei

Cardiology

46sec

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the recurrence rate of myocarditis

The most common type of myocarditis clinically seen is viral myocarditis, which is a localized or diffuse cardiac injury resulting from viral infections. Mild myocardial damage, when treated effectively under the guidance of a doctor, typically does not recur after recovery. Recurrence referred to involves serious myocardial damage, or lack of systematic treatment, leading to complications such as heart failure and arrhythmias. These complications often exacerbate under certain triggering factors like infections, colds, excessive fatigue, emotional excitement, overeating, constipation, etc., increasing the cardiac load and causing the recurrence of heart failure and arrhythmias.

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Written by Zhou Yan

Geriatrics

39sec

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Does myocarditis fear tiredness?

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium. In treating it, reducing the cardiac load is crucial. For patients in the acute phase, rest is the best way to reduce cardiac load and is an important treatment measure for acute myocarditis. If a patient's heart condition, such as chest pain, elevated myocardial enzymes, or troponin, or severe arrhythmias, is present, we often recommend that the patient rest in bed for more than three months. Therefore, patients with myocarditis should avoid exertion and rest appropriately.

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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

57sec

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Can myocarditis heal itself?

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium. Common causes include viral infections, while bacterial and fungal infections can also cause myocarditis, but these are relatively less common. The onset of myocarditis can vary; it may be rapid, occasionally leading to acute heart failure and sudden cardiac death. However, most cases of myocarditis are self-limiting, though they can also progress to dilated cardiomyopathy. For individuals presenting with flu-like symptoms such as fever, general fatigue, muscle soreness, nausea, and vomiting, or other gastrointestinal issues, it is advisable to provide rest and nutritional support treatment. This is because these cold symptoms might also be indicative of myocarditis. Therefore, general treatment, rest, and nutrition should be emphasized for patients with colds.