DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Cardiac Disease

Myocarditis

HIGH SEVERITY

Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium) that can weaken the heart and affect its electrical system. Often follows viral infections but can be autoimmune or drug-related. Can cause heart failure, arrhythmias, or sudden cardiac death.

Global Affected

1.5M

Countries

89

Symptoms

Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Rapid/irregular heartbeat
Swelling in legs/ankles
Fever
Body aches
Fainting
Flu-like symptoms

Treatment Options

Heart failure medications
ACE inhibitors
Beta-blockers
Diuretics
Corticosteroids (autoimmune)
IVIG
Anticoagulation (if indicated)
Avoidance of strenuous exercise
Treatment of underlying cause
Implantable defibrillator (high-risk)
Heart transplant (end-stage)

Risk Factors

1Viral infection (coxsackie, adenovirus)
2COVID-19
3Autoimmune disease
4Drug toxicity (cocaine, chemotherapy)
5Bacterial infection
6Parasitic infection
7Vaccine reaction (rare)
8Giant cell myocarditis

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Cardiac MRI (gold standard)
  • 2Echocardiogram
  • 3ECG
  • 4Blood tests (troponin, BNP)
  • 5Endomyocardial biopsy (definitive)
  • 6Chest X-ray
  • 7Heart catheterization

Prognosis

Variable. 50% recover fully. 25% develop chronic cardiomyopathy. 12% progress to heart failure. 1-year mortality up to 20% in severe cases. Giant cell myocarditis has poor prognosis without transplant.

Prevention

  • Vaccination (influenza, COVID-19)
  • Avoidance of cardiotoxic drugs
  • Prompt treatment of infections
  • Autoimmune disease management
  • Regular cardiac screening (high-risk)

Research Status

Supportive care is mainstay. Heart failure medications (ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers). Immunosuppressants for autoimmune causes. IVIG for acute cases. Ventricular assist devices or transplant for fulminant cases. Most recover fully but some develop dilated cardiomyopathy.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanBrazilMexicoRussiaChinaIndiaSwedenNorwayFinlandNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaTaiwanSingaporeHong KongMalaysiaThailandIndonesiaPhilippinesVietnamSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitBHOmanJordanLebanonSyriaIraqIranPakistanBangladeshLKMMKHLAMNKPUzbekistanKazakhstanKGTJTMAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMKMESerbiaXK

Sources

  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myocarditis
  • https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/myocarditis
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.