Myocarditis

Inflammation of the heart muscle, usually due to infection by the coxsackievirus. Myocarditis is a characteristic feature of rheumatic fever. There are often no symptoms. Rarely, there may be a serious disturbance of the heartbeat, breathlessness, chest pain, and heart failure. In severe cases, death may result from cardiac arrest. Myocarditis may be suspected from the patient’s history and from a physical examination. An ECG will show characteristic abnormalities of the heartbeat. Diagnosis also involves echocardiography and blood tests. There is no specific treatment. Bed rest is usually recommended and corticosteroid drugs may be prescribed.