Heart muscle inflammation after a cold

Myocarditis usually occurs after infections. Such an infection can present itself as a simple cold, for example. Both viral colds and those caused by bacteria are capable of causing heart muscle inflammation.

However, myocarditis occurs significantly more frequently (in about one to five percent of cases) after a viral disease. The most common viral pathogens are the Coxsackieviruses. But also the parvovirus B19 (which triggers rubella), the herpes virus and various adenoviruses can be responsible for myocarditis.

Heart muscle inflammation after influenza

Myocarditis after influenza is similar to that after a cold. Possible triggers are all kinds of germs, with viruses being much more common than bacteria. People with additional underlying diseases are particularly susceptible to myocarditis after infectious diseases.

Especially those who have a weakened immune system due to a previous illness (after chemotherapy, HIV/Aids, etc.) are at risk. As with the common cold, the most common triggers are the Coxsackieviruses.

Heart muscle inflammation due to sports

The heart muscle inflammation itself is not caused by sports. In normal cases, an infection with viruses or bacteria is the cause. This infection can manifest itself as a harmless cold or even in the form of flu.

If the germs also attack the heart, an inflammation of the heart muscles occurs.Often this inflammation is not noticeable, as the only symptoms are increased fatigue and reduced performance. Anyone who starts exercising again too early after the infection can force the still inflamed heart muscle cells to perform at their best. Then the inflammation of the heart muscle becomes noticeable. In the worst case, it can cause immediate cardiac arrest.

Heart muscle inflammation due to alcohol

Nowadays it is considered certain that excessive alcohol abuse leads to a general inflammatory reaction in the body. In this context, there are indications that an inflammation (myocarditis) can also occur in the heart muscle. This does not usually apply to “normal”, moderate alcohol consumption.

However, many alcoholic patients have healed or acute myocarditis. In addition to the directly damaging effect of alcohol itself, it also suppresses the body’s own defences in the long term (immunosuppressive). This makes it easier for bacteria, viruses or fungi to attack.

In principle, alcohol should be completely avoided during the healing and therapy phase of myocarditis. In many cases, the body is very weakened and needs all its resources to heal. In addition, dangerous interactions between medication and alcohol can occur under certain circumstances.