Irish Daily Mirror19 September 2011
Dr Miriam Stoppard’s healthfocus
What’s the difference?
| Myocarditis | Pericarditis |
|
Myocarditis is an inflammation of theheart muscle. The most common causeis a viral infection. Rarely, mumps cancause myocarditis. Inflamation irritatesthe cardiac muscle and therefore it may begin to beat irregularly. Sometimes it is completely irregular – when it’s known as atrial fibrillation. I have suffered this myself as a result of a viralsore throat. In mild cases, you may feelmyocarditis can lead to heart failure.The recovery from myocarditis due to a viral infection is usually rapid and theheart reverts to normal rhythm. Seriousslight chest pain and slight breathlessness. |
Pericarditis is inflammation that affectsthe inner and outer membranes thatsurround the heart. It’s usually causedby a virus but may be a feature ofrheumatic fever. These two membranesform a sac and in healthy people the heartcan expand and contract without any friction. When there is inflammation,there is friction between the membranesthat can cause pain that moves to the Left shoulder. If a doctor listens to the rheumatoid arthritisrubbing together and this is called a“pericardial rub”. Pericarditis may Accompany damage to the heart muscleitself (a heart attack or myocardial infarction) and is a feature of some autoimmune conditions like lupus orheart it’s possible hear the two membranes |