Carditis is a general term for inflammation of heart tissue. The condition is classified into three different disorders, depending on where the inflammation occurs. Endocarditis refers to inflammation of the inner tissue of the heart, myocarditis affects the middle heart muscle, and pericarditis is irritation of the outer membrane of the heart. A person suffering from any type of carditis is likely to experience chest pains, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Most cases of carditis are caused by bacterial infections, viruses, or underlying health conditions, and tend to go away with prescription medications.
Endocarditis and myocarditis are usually the result of bacteria entering the bloodstream and attaching to heart tissue. The most common symptoms of endocarditis are fatigue, cough, chest pain, chills, and shortness of breath, although a person may also notice swelling in the hands and feet and blood in the urine over time. Myocarditis can cause similar symptoms, as well as a rapid heartbeat and sharp, stabbing heart pain.
The heart is surrounded by a fluid-filled protective sac known as the pericardium . The sac can become inflamed and irritated due to viral infection, chest trauma, or other diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. Pericarditis can be acute or chronic, which means that its onset can be rapid and severe, or it can get progressively worse over time. Acute pericarditis usually results in sharp chest pains, shortness of breath, and extreme fatigue. Chronic conditions are often painless at first, but symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling in the extremities tend to develop after about six months.
All three types of carditis are diagnosed in a similar way. A doctor usually asks the patient about her medical history and performs a quick physical exam. The doctor usually uses an EKG machine to monitor the electrical activity of the heart. A patient may also receive a chest x-ray or other tests to give the doctor a better picture of the problem. Once carditis is diagnosed, your doctor can determine the best treatment methods.
Most cases of myocarditis and endocarditis are treated with oral antibacterial or antiviral medications. Doctors generally suggest that patients with these conditions get plenty of rest and maintain healthy lifestyle choices to prevent the condition from worsening. An individual with pericarditis may be given anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers. If a case of carditis does not go away within a month or continues to return over time, doctors usually recommend surgical procedures to remove or replace the inflamed tissue.