Based on: Myocarditis: From Bench to Bedside, Edited by Leslie T. Cooper, Jr. 621 pp., illustrated. Totowa, N.J., Humana, 2003. $175., 1-58829-112-X ...
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, called the myocardium. The condition can reduce the heart's ability to pump blood. Myocarditis can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid or irregular heartbeats. Infection with a virus is one cause of myocarditis. Sometimes myocarditis is caused by a medicine reaction or a condition that causes inflammation throughout the body.
Diagnosis Early diagnosis of myocarditis is important to preventing long-term heart damage. To diagnose myocarditis, a healthcare professional examines you and listens to your heart with a stethoscope. Blood and imaging tests may be done to check your heart health. Imaging tests can help confirm myocarditis and determine its severity.
Myocarditis care at Mayo Clinic Your Mayo Clinic care team Mayo Clinic doctors trained in cardiovascular medicine, cardiac surgery, heart failure and other areas work together as a team to provide coordinated, comprehensive care. This collaborative approach means health professionals can often evaluate you and develop a treatment plan within 2 to 3 days. Mayo health professionals take the time ...
Research Mayo Clinic researchers actively engage in clinical and lab research related to myocarditis. Researchers work closely with healthcare professionals to develop new tests and therapies to diagnose and treat people who have myocarditis. Doctors at Mayo Clinic helped determine national guidelines for the use of endomyocardial biopsy in the diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis and other ...
Myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle, usually occurs after a viral infection. And, although rare, myocarditis also can result from a reaction to a vaccination or new drug exposure.