How long should I not exercise after myocarditis?
The opinions of experts differ somewhat on this issue. While some sources recommend an abstinence from sports for three months, there are others that even recommend a six-month break from sports. In any case, however, affected patients should consult a cardiologist before resuming their training or other physical exertion in order to have the pumping function of the heart checked.
In this way, there is no risk of putting too much strain on themselves too early. In any case, the prescribed ban on sports should be strictly adhered to during this period in order to counteract the risk of consequential damage such as dilatation of the heart or a reduction in the pumping function. The same restrictions also apply to everyday working life. Here, too, it is important to avoid physical exertion. Those affected should therefore be put on sick leave or transferred to another department for the time of recovery, provided that they normally perform strenuous work.
Can the disease be fatal?
In general, it cannot be ruled out that myocarditis may ultimately lead to death. This is, however, the worst case to be assumed and is stated in the technical literature with a risk of just under five percent. It should also be noted that sport does not lead to myocarditis, but that sport can lead to cardiac overload if the heart muscle is inflamed, which can lead to cardiac arrhythmia and ultimately to death. During the inflammation, the heart has only a fraction of its actual capacity and is therefore not able to produce sufficient pumping power during heavy physical exertion without suffering permanent damage.
