Myocarditis can present like a myocardial infarction (heart attack) with sudden onset of symptoms (angina pectoris (“chest tightness”; sudden onset of pain in the heart area) and arrhythmias) and/or heart failure (cardiac insufficiency) developing within days. In most cases, the symptoms (after an infection) are so uncharacteristic that only cardiac symptoms and/or dyspnea on exertion (shortness of breath under stress) make one think of the possibility of myocarditis* . Caution. * Electrocardiographic (ST-segment changes) and laboratory findings (elevated cardiac enzymes) are no longer present at this time! The following symptoms and complaints may indicate myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation):
- Anorexia (loss of appetite).
- Pallor
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Cardiac arrhythmias/palpitations (heart stumbles)
- Fatigue
- Edema – water retention in the tissues.
- Tachycardia – heartbeat too fast: > 100 beats per minute.
- Chest pain (chest pain) or angina pectoris to the clinical picture of an acute myocardial infarction.
- Central cyanosis (blue discoloration of the skin and central mucous membranes / tongue).
- Cardiogenic shock (form of shock caused by weakened pumping action of the heart).
Myocarditis can be mild and asymptomatic but also very severe and lethal (fatal).
