Myocarditis
Myocarditis is a disease marked by inflammation and damage of the heart muscle. There are many causes of myocarditis, including viral infections, autoimmune diseases, environmental toxins, and adverse reactions to medications. The most common cause of myocarditis in North America is viral infections. Myocarditis usually attacks otherwise healthy people.
It is believed that 5 to 20% of all cases of sudden death in young adults are due to myocarditis. Although the exact incidence of myocarditis is not known, it is estimated that approximately 343,000 people die of myocarditis and its major complication, cardiomyopathy, each year. The prognosis is variable but chronic heart failure is the major long term complication. Myocarditis and the associated disorder of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy are the cause of approximately 45% of heart transplants in the United States.
In Elysa’s case, a common childhood virus was responsible for her myocarditis. The virus either attacked Elysa’s heart directly or caused her immune system to attack her heart muscle in a “friendly fire” fashion while trying to fight the virus. The inflammation in her heart increased drastically and very quickly to the point of sudden cardiac arrest. Doctors and scientists do not fully understand the mechanisms within the body that cause a virus to “go haywire” in the immune systems of individuals with myocarditis. There is currently no way to predict when/if this will occur. Much more research is needed to help determine why this occurs in certain susceptible individuals with no known risk factors.
Please click on the links below or see www.myocarditisfoundation.org for further information.
It is believed that 5 to 20% of all cases of sudden death in young adults are due to myocarditis. Although the exact incidence of myocarditis is not known, it is estimated that approximately 343,000 people die of myocarditis and its major complication, cardiomyopathy, each year. The prognosis is variable but chronic heart failure is the major long term complication. Myocarditis and the associated disorder of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy are the cause of approximately 45% of heart transplants in the United States.
In Elysa’s case, a common childhood virus was responsible for her myocarditis. The virus either attacked Elysa’s heart directly or caused her immune system to attack her heart muscle in a “friendly fire” fashion while trying to fight the virus. The inflammation in her heart increased drastically and very quickly to the point of sudden cardiac arrest. Doctors and scientists do not fully understand the mechanisms within the body that cause a virus to “go haywire” in the immune systems of individuals with myocarditis. There is currently no way to predict when/if this will occur. Much more research is needed to help determine why this occurs in certain susceptible individuals with no known risk factors.
Please click on the links below or see www.myocarditisfoundation.org for further information.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. SCA usually results from an electrical disturbance in the heart that disrupts its pumping action, stopping blood flow to the rest of the body. This can occur due to a pre-existing electrical heart defect, such as Long QT Syndrome, or can be acquired as a side effect of cardiac inflammation, such as myocarditis. A structural defect, such as cardiomyopathy, can also prevent the heart from working properly and cause a SCA.
Sudden cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, which occurs when the blood flow to a portion of the heart is blocked. However, a heart attack can sometimes trigger an electrical disturbance that leads to sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. If not treated immediately, it causes sudden cardiac death. With fast, appropriate medical care, survival is possible. Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - or even just chest compressions - can improve the chances of survival until emergency personnel arrive.
Many people think that sudden cardiac arrest occurs primarily in adults, but that is not true. SCA is the #1 killer of student athletes and is also responsible for up to 15% of all sudden infant deaths.
Sudden cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack, which occurs when the blood flow to a portion of the heart is blocked. However, a heart attack can sometimes trigger an electrical disturbance that leads to sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. If not treated immediately, it causes sudden cardiac death. With fast, appropriate medical care, survival is possible. Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - or even just chest compressions - can improve the chances of survival until emergency personnel arrive.
Many people think that sudden cardiac arrest occurs primarily in adults, but that is not true. SCA is the #1 killer of student athletes and is also responsible for up to 15% of all sudden infant deaths.
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
- Fainting or Seizures
Fainting is the #1 warning sign of SCA and usually occurs immediately after physical activity or as a result of emotional excitement/distress/surprise. Sometimes, it may look like a seizure. Don’t assume it is from exhaustion or dehydration. Passing out when exercising should be a sign to "STOP" and see a physician immediately. Do NOT attempted to return to exercise without a physician's consent. - Unexplained Shortness of Breath and/or Difficulty Keeping Up With Peers During Activity
Shortness of breath is natural during exercise. However, if there is shortness of breath during normal activity or breath loss is severe during or after exercise, this should be checked by a physician. - Leg or Face Swelling
- Chest Pains
- Extreme Fatigue
- Unusually Rapid or Irregular Heart Rate or Breathing Pattern
- Dizziness or Lightheadedness
Sometimes being dizzy means that you got up too fast. It could also mean that there is something wrong with your heart. If you getting dizzy a lot, check it out. - Unexplained Family Death or Family History of Cardiac Concerns
If a family member (under 50 years old) dies/died suddenly, and the cause of death is unknown, it may have been due to an unidentified heart condition. Any family history of cardiac disease, congenital heart disease, or cardiac arrest should also be discussed with your physician.
4 Ways to Protect Your Child
- Make sure that your family doctor takes a complete medical history of your family.
- Attend a heart screening or ask your family doctor to give your child an ECG (electrocardiogram) exam. This is a quick a painless screening that can detect electrical abnormalities in the heart before they become fatal.
- Watch for symptoms and warning signs. If you see one, talk to your doctor and consult with a pediatric cardiologist.
- IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD ARE ILL, seek immediate treatment of lethargy/fatigue that is out of proportion with fever or general appearance of illness
Cardiac Warning Signs Before/During Activity
- Gradually increase training intensity/volume (no >10% per week)
- Listen to your body
- Be aware of the environment - stay well hydrated and wear appropriate clothing types/layers
- Train/race within your means
- Know signs of possible cardiac disease - lightheadedness, dizziness, chest pains, heart racing or skipping beats, shortness of breath - both during and/or after a race or training session. Specifically, pay attention to changes in exercise tolerance that don't otherwise have a good explanation
- Be aware of the location of the AED and medical assistance at school, on the field, at work, along the race course
- Get trained in CPR and AED use and be aware of your surroundings - you may be a first responder!
- Consider a medical alert and/or "in case of emergency" bracelet or shoe tag
| cardiac_risk_factor_flyer3.pdf |
Educational Handouts from the Myocarditis Foundation
