Myocarditis is a condition that causes inflammatory changes in the heart muscles. These inflammatory changes influence the contraction and relaxation of the heart muscles. It also affects the electrical system of the heart. It is caused by low immunity, infections by virus, bacteria, parasite and fungi and other causes. Its symptoms involve joint pain, fatigue, swelling in the legs and many more. It is detected by echocardiogram, electrocardiograph, chest X-rays, and other tests. It can be managed with medicines, anti-inflammatory medicines, dietary changes like low salt diet, fluid restriction, rest and others. It is the main reason for heart transplantation in young patients.
Life Expectancy For Myocarditis
Most of the patients of myocarditis do not realize that they have any affection in the heart. This happens because it does not show symptoms in them. When the patient experiences its symptoms, then its symptoms include tiredness, fatigue, fever, breathing difficulties, fever, chest pain, joint pain, and swelling in the lower extremity.
Mild myocarditis resolves in few days either on their own or slight medical intervention. They live long free from the effects of the disease. Lifestyle modification helps a lot in improving the function of the heart. Some patients may require regular follow up as there are chances of reoccurrence of this disease. According to the Myocarditis Foundation, there are only 10-15% chances of reoccurrence of myocarditis. (1) (2)
Unfortunately, myocarditis is the third leading cause of death that occurs suddenly in young children and adults. With effective modern medical techniques, the life expectancy of the patient can be increased. These techniques involve heart medicines and heart transplantation. Myocarditis is the leading reason for much heart transplantation in the US. But myocarditis that causes dilated cardiomyopathy requires heart transplantation in 45 % of cases.
To increase life expectancy, lifestyle modification runs in parallel to the treatment methods. Healthy lifestyle indicates low sodium content in the food, avoidance of alcohol, and limitation of fluid intake and cessation of smoking. It is also advisable to take complete rest from strenuous exercises and competitive sports in order to heal the damage caused by myocarditis. It increases the life expectancy of the patient. (2)
Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease that involves the muscular layer of the heart. It leads to inflammatory changes in the muscle of the heart. It results in defects in the normal functions of the heart. The blood supply to different parts of the body gets impaired due to its inflammation of the heart muscles.
The electrical system of the heart gets disrupted due to inflammatory changes that also affect the contraction and relaxation of the heart muscles. It results in chest pain, abnormal heartbeat and difficulty in breathing. In severe cases, this disease damages the heart permanently and leads to the formation of blood clots. Blood clots may result in heart attack, heart failure or stroke or even death.
Inflammation is a condition that happens as a reaction to any kind of wound or infection. The immune system repeatedly produces special cells to reach the inflamed area and induce healing. In a few cases, these changes may reach the heart and cause myocarditis.
The exact causes of inflammation are yet to be explored more. The most potential cause of this disease is infections lead by virus, bacteria, fungi or parasites. It develops mostly due to the weakened immune system. It weakens the heart muscle.
Exposure to certain chemicals or radiation, consumption of illegal drugs like cocaine or other medicines like penicillin may trigger inflammatory changes in the heart muscles. Some autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. may cause myocarditis in some cases.
Conclusion
The life expectancy of patients of myocarditis depends on its severity. Mild cases settle in a few days with or without treatment and the patient survive long without any adverse effects on the heart. Severe myocarditis reduces the life expectancy of that patient as it may cause heart failure, heart attacks, and sudden death.
References
- https://www.myocarditisfoundation.org/about-myocarditis/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/myocarditis#outlook
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