Ischemic cardiomyopathy occurs when your heart can no longer pump blood to the rest of your body due to coronary artery disease. Blood vessels to the heart muscle narrow and become blocked. This deprives the heart muscle of oxygen.

But the heart does have some ability to make new muscle and possibly repair itself. The rate of regeneration is so slow, though, that it can’t fix the kind of damage caused by a heart attack. That’s why the rapid healing that follows a heart attack creates scar tissue in place of working muscle tissue.

Common myocarditis signs and symptoms include:

• Chest pain.
• Rapid or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
• Shortness of breath, at rest or during physical activity.
• Fluid retention with swelling of your legs, ankles and feet.
• Fatigue.

Symptoms. The symptoms of myocarditis vary widely and some people do not present with any heart-related symptoms at all. In these cases, myocardial inflammation may be detected when an ECG (electrocardiogram) test shows abnormalities.

Treatment for myocarditis may include:

1. corticosteroid therapy (to help reduce inflammation)
2. cardiac medications, such as a beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor, or ARB.
3. behavioral changes, such as rest, fluid restriction, and a low-salt diet.
4. diuretic therapy to treat fluid overload.
5. antibiotic therapy.

In many cases, myocarditis improves on its own or with treatment, leading to a complete recovery. Myocarditis treatment focuses on the cause and the symptoms, such as heart failure. In mild cases, persons should avoid competitive sports for at least three to six months.

Macrolide antibiotics may also have a role in the treatment of non-bacterial myocarditis, which is much more common, but their effectiveness may be mediated through inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) rather than through a pathogen-specific mechanism.

Inflammation occurs during the course of infection, putting stress on the heart that remains even after the infection is resolved. Cancer, bacterial infections and other contagious diseases can also cause myocarditis, as can exposure to environmental toxins ranging from metal poisons to spider and snake venom.

The most common ECG abnormalities seen in myocarditis are: Sinus tachycardia. Non-specific ST segment and T waves changes.

Spectral CT scan is valid compared to myocardial MRI for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. Since CT scan is more easily available than MRI and can also rule out a coronary syndrome, it appears as an interesting option to diagnose myocarditis.

Viral infection is the most common cause of myocarditis. When you have one, your body produces cells to fight the virus.

Tests to diagnose myocarditis include: Blood tests – Studies to detect enzymes that leak into the blood when the heart has been damaged and to detect infection and antibodies. Chest X-ray – A radiograph or picture of the heart and lungs including blood vessels, ribs and bones of the spine.

Most people with myocarditis recover completely, either with or without treatment, and have no lasting symptoms or complications. For example, if it is caused by a viral infection, the myocarditis may get better as the person’s immune system fights the infection and they recover from the virus.

Cardiologists typically recommend a resting period of three to six months after viral myocarditis to allow the heart tissue to heal without intense physical exercise.

Stress cardiomyopathy is a condition caused by intense emotional or physical stress leading to rapid and severe reversible cardiac dysfunction. It mimics myocardial infarction with changes in the electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, but without any obstructive coronary artery disease.

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle and pericarditis is the inflammation of the lining outside the heart. In both cases, the body’s immune system is causing inflammation either to try to get rid of the infection or in response to some other trigger.

Eat a heart-healthy diet: Processed and fast foods produce inflammation. Whole foods, on the other hand, are anti-inflammatory. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and fatty fish.

It can take years for hidden inflammation to harm your health, raising your risk for heart attacks and stroke. Fortunately this damage can be reversed.

New research shows that sugary, processed, refined foods are more likely to cause inflammation, which can lead to heart disease and stroke. Likewise, whole foods and healthier proteins decrease inflammation, leading to better health outcomes.