Shortness of breath usually occurs a week to two weeks after a viral illness, like a severe cold or flu, resulting in difficulty sleeping.
Other symptoms can include fatigue, heart palpitations, and chest pain or pressure. In addition, leg swelling may occur. And in rare cases, abnormal heart rhythm may cause a sudden loss of consciousness.
To diagnose this condition, a doctor will perform an electrocardiogram, in which electrodes are put on the skin to examine heartbeats. It’s a simple, quick procedure.
Further, professionals will conduct an echocardiogram that involves sound waves that an image of the heart and analyze blood flow. And he or she will probably get a chest x-ray to look at the size and shape of the heart.
That brings us to an important question: How is myocarditis treated?
According to the Myocarditis Foundation, doctors use medications used to treat heart failure. Steroids, rest and a low-salt diet also might be prescribed to reduce inflammation. However, abnormal heart rhythms may require surgery to install a pacemaker or defibrillator.
The good news is that lots of people recover from this condition. But in some cases, heart function may not improve after a bout of myocarditis. Sufferers may require long-term medical therapy and sometimes heart transplants.