## Overview Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, often secondary to viral or bacterial infection. It can cause arrhythmias, exercise intolerance, fever, and elevated cardiac troponin I. Continued exercise during active myocarditis risks fatal arrhythmias. Rest is the cornerstone of treatment. ## Causes Viral infections (including equine herpesvirus), bacterial disease, or other systemic illness. ## Diagnosis Auscultation of arrhythmias, electrocardiography, elevated cardiac troponin, and echocardiography. Viral testing may identify a cause. ## Treatment Complete rest, anti-inflammatories, and treatment of any underlying infection. No specific antiviral is routinely effective. Return to work is gradual and only after cardiac markers and rhythm normalize. ## Recovery and Prognosis Variable. Mild cases often recover fully. Severe myocarditis can be fatal or end an athletic career. ## Prevention Vaccination and biosecurity for respiratory viruses where applicable.
arrhythmias; exercise intolerance; fever; elevated cardiac troponin I; weakness
## Overview Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, often secondary to viral or bacterial infection. It can cause arrhythmias, exercise intolerance, fever, and elevated cardiac troponin I. Continued exercise during active myocarditis risks fatal arrhythmias. Rest is the cornerstone of treatment. ## Causes Viral infections (including equine herpesvirus), bacterial disease, or other systemic illness. ## Diagnosis Auscultation of arrhythmias, electrocardiography, elevated cardiac troponin, and echocardiography. Viral testing may identify a cause. ## Treatment Complete rest, anti-inflammatories, and treatment of any underlying infection. No specific antiviral is routinely effective. Return to work is gradual and only after cardiac markers and rhythm normalize. ## Recovery and Prognosis Variable. Mild cases often recover fully. Severe myocarditis can be fatal or end an athletic career. ## Prevention Vaccination and biosecurity for respiratory viruses where applicable.
arrhythmias; exercise intolerance; fever; elevated cardiac troponin I; weakness