Diseases

Myocarditis

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Inflammation of the myocardium, the heart muscle. ... The most common cause is infection of the heart muscle by a virus. The virus causes the initial heart muscle inflammation.

SYMPTOMS

Myocarditis can be caused by many viruses, but the most common are those associated with upper respiratory tract infections. Less commonly, other contagious diseases, including lyme disease, may cause myocarditis. Rarely, myocarditis has been caused by cocaine use or exposure to toxic agents including metal poisons or snake or spider bites.
Most cases of myocarditis are not infectious. There is no known risk of infection to family members of people with myocarditis.

CAUSES

Other symptoms may include fatigue, heart palpitations and chest pain or pressure. The legs also may swell. Rarely, myocarditis causes a sudden loss of consciousness that may be due to abnormal heart rhythms. In summary, patients may experience some, all or none of the following symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness, irregular heartbeat, sudden loss of consciousness.