Living with Myocarditis
Inflammation of the heart muscle, which can cause chest pain, an abnormal heartbeat, and shortness of breath.
Understanding Myocarditis
Some people have no noticeable symptoms. It can be caused by infections, allergic reactions to certain medicines, and exposure to certain chemicals. It can also be linked to other inflammatory conditions, such as lupus. Most cases occur in people with no family history of it.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. When symptoms are present, GARD lists these:
- Chest pain
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Fever, headache, sore throat, or diarrhea
- Leg swelling
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Myocarditis Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Myocarditis can be caused by infections (viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal), allergic reactions to certain medicines, and exposure to certain chemicals. It can also be linked to inflammatory conditions such as lupus.
Also known as: inflammation of heart muscle; inflammation of myocardium; myocardial inflammation; myocardial inflammation (finding); myocardium inflammation
Patient organizations
- Myocarditis FoundationMyocarditis · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Myocarditis.
Explore research for Myocarditis
Explore actively recruiting Myocarditis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Myocarditis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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