What is myocarditis?

• A. Inflammation of the heart muscle, often following upper respiratory symptoms.
• B. Narrowing of coronary arteries.
• C. Inflammation of the outer lining of the heart.
• D. Infection of the heart valves.

Answer: (A)

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle itself. This is why it’s commonly described as inflammation of the myocardium, which can impair the heart’s pumping ability and provoke arrhythmias. It’s frequently seen after viral infections, including upper respiratory tract illnesses, so a preceding URI fits the typical scenario. Patients may have chest discomfort, fatigue, shortness of breath, or palpitations, and in some cases heart failure symptoms develop. Diagnosis often involves raised cardiac enzymes, ECG changes, and imaging like MRI showing myocardial inflammation and edema. Treatment focuses on supporting heart function and addressing the underlying cause. The other options describe different conditions: narrowing of the coronary arteries is coronary artery disease, inflammation of the outer lining of the heart is pericarditis, and infection of the heart valves is endocarditis.