Myocarditis is an often overlooked heart disease that can be triggered by a viral infection such as a cold, and if you ignore it, you may pose an unexpected health risk. In this episode, let's have an in-depth understanding of myocarditis and protect your health.
Online big doctor: Zhang Tingxing
Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University
Chief Physician, Associate Professor, Doctor of Medicine
Topic of this issue: Stay away from myocarditis and protect heart health
What is myocarditis
Myocarditis is an inflammatory lesion of the heart muscle that can be caused by a variety of causes, such as infections and autoimmune diseases. Common causes of myocarditis include viral infections, bacterial infections, parasitic infections, medications, toxins, immune factors, etc. These factors can lead to damage to heart muscle cells and an inflammatory response.
Why myocarditis occurs
Viral infections: Viral infections such as coxsackie group B virus, echovirus, influenza virus, etc., are one of the most common causes of myocarditis. After a viral infection, the body's immune system reacts to the virus, resulting in an inflammatory response by heart muscle cells.
Autoimmune diseases: Certain autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, may also cause myocarditis.
Drugs and toxins: Certain medications, such as cocaine, doxorubicin, etc., as well as certain toxins, such as lead, mercury, etc., can also cause myocarditis.
Metabolic diseases: Certain metabolic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism, may also lead to the occurrence of myocarditis.
Physical factors, such as chest radiation therapy, heart surgery, etc., may also lead to the occurrence of myocarditis.
What are the symptoms of myocarditis
Chest pain: People with myocarditis may experience chest pain, usually a dull or stabbing pain that is constant, or severe chest pain.
Heart palpitations: People with myocarditis may experience palpitations, which are the sensation that their heart is beating significantly faster or irregularly.
Dyspnea: Myocarditis can cause impaired heart muscle function, which can cause the patient to have difficulty breathing, especially when moving or lying down.
Fatigue: Myocarditis can cause damage to heart muscle cells, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue and fatigue.
Dizziness: Myocarditis can lead to a lack of blood supply to the heart, which can lead to symptoms such as dizziness and fainting.
Fever: Some patients with myocarditis may have symptoms such as fever and chills, especially in myocarditis caused by a viral infection.
It is important to note that some people with myocarditis may have no obvious symptoms or have mild symptoms that are easy to ignore. If you have any of the above symptoms, especially after a viral infection, strenuous exercise, or other conditions that may cause myocarditis, you should seek medical attention for relevant tests and diagnosis.
How myocarditis is treated
Rest: Patients with myocarditis need to get enough rest and avoid strenuous exercise and overexertion to reduce the burden on the heart.
Medications: People with myocarditis may need medications to relieve symptoms and improve heart muscle function. Commonly used medications include diuretics, vasodilators, antiarrhythmics, etc.
Nutritional support: Patients with myocarditis need to ensure adequate nutrition, especially protein and vitamin intake, to promote the repair and regeneration of myocardial cells.
Cardiac supportive care: patients with severe myocarditis may need cardiac supportive care, such as pacemaker use, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, etc.
Treatment of the cause: If myocarditis is caused by a viral infection, it may need to be treated with antiviral drugs.
How to prevent it
Prevent viral infection: Most myocarditis is caused by viral infection, pay attention to personal hygiene, wash hands frequently, avoid contact with patients, and prevent upper respiratory tract infection.
Improve immunity: Maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep, to strengthen the body's immunity.
Avoid overexertion: Pay attention to rest and relaxation to prevent physical fatigue and reduce the risk of infection.
Rational use of drugs: follow the doctor's instructions, avoid drug abuse, and reduce the damage of drugs to the myocardium.
Regular physical examination: timely detection and treatment of potential health problems to prevent the occurrence of myocarditis.
Disclaimer
This article aims to popularize health science, to help you understand diseases and medications, the content of popular science can not replace the doctor's diagnosis and treatment opinions, for reference only, if you have related health problems, please consult a doctor in time.
Introduced by the doctor
Zhang Tingxing
Chief physician, associate professor, Ph.D., is currently the deputy head of the Heart Failure Group of the Cardiovascular Branch of the Fujian Medical Association, a member of the Heart Failure Professional Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, a member of the Standing Committee of the Critical Rehabilitation Professional Committee of the Fujian Rehabilitation Medical Association, a member of the Cardiovascular Disease Branch of the Fujian Medical Doctor Association, a member of the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Branch of the Fujian Medical Association, and a member of the Fatty Liver Disease Branch of the Fujian Medical Association.