Re: Myocarditis

The word myocarditis simply means inflammation of the heart muscle (from

the Greek words "myos" = muscle, "kardia" = heart, and "-itis" = inflamm-

ation).

It is an acute condition that may complicate a wide variety of infections,

although viral infection is the commonest cause in the UK.

Symptoms are non-specific, and consist of malaise, fever, lassitude, and

chest pains. In most cases the disease is self limiting, with full 

recovery anticipated, and treatment is limited to rest and supportive

therapy, aimed at dealing with any irregular heart rhythms or heart failure

which may complicate the disease.

I know of no genetic risk factor.