9. Avoid Smoking
Smoking causes high blood pressure, which increases the risk of myocarditis. It damages coronary arteries and reduces oxygen levels in the blood, increasing the chances of getting a heart attack and stroke.
Smoking also contributes to plaque formation in the arteries, which makes blood more prone to clotting. Smoking also damages the inner lining of the arteries. The effects of smoking will only endanger a patient with myocarditis. It’s best to avoid it.
8. Rest
Some myocarditis cases can be treated with rest. Patients must avoid strenuous activities and sports until the inflammation subsides. Bed rest is not a cure for myocarditis, but it can help the patient feel better.
Myocarditis is a viral infection that affects the heart muscle. The infection reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood and can cause irregular heartbeats. As such, the heart will need to rest for several months to recover
7. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids have been shown to have a beneficial effect in the treatment of viral myocarditis, but there are no good studies that show corticosteroids reduce mortality. However, some studies show that these treatments are effective in improving cardiac function, but there is not enough evidence to support routine use.
Low-dose corticosteroids may improve cardiovascular outcomes, but the optimal dose remains unclear. To help determine which therapy is best for a patient, researchers evaluated the safety and effectiveness of various corticosteroid regimens.
6. Heart Medications
Heart medications can help in the treatment of myocarditis. For example, diuretics can help in reducing water retention which might result from a weakened heart muscle. Beta-blockers can help reduce the frequency and severity of arrhythmias and assist in the reshaping of the heart’s muscles.
Angiotensin receptor blockers or ARBs can also help in reshaping the heart’s muscles and at the same time, lower blood pressure.
5. IV Medications
In many cases, patients with myocarditis may require IV medications to improve heart function. For example, Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) can be used for the treatment of severe myocarditis. IVIG has anti-inflammatory effects that can help with myocarditis.
Intravenous immune globulin has been used to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The drug can neutralize the effects of viral infection and microbial toxins on the myocardium.
4. Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)
The ventricular assist device or VAD can help the weakened heart function. This medical device can assist in pumping blood from the ventricles to the other parts of the body.
This particular treatment is recommended for patients who have suffered heart failure. It can also be used to assist the heart to function while the patient is awaiting a heart transplant.
3. Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
An Intra-Aortic Balloon (IAB) Pump is an interventional procedure that can help the heart pump blood more efficiently. It relaxes the heart and forces blood back to the coronary arteries.
Without a pump, these arteries could not receive adequate blood supply. An IAB Pump can help lessen the workload of the heart.
2. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, also known as ECMO, provides cardiac and respiratory support for extended periods. It can help treat patients who are suffering from heart dysfunction. Hence, it can also help treat patients with severe cases of myocarditis.
ECMO is used in cases where the heart and lungs do not supply enough oxygen to the body. It keeps the tissue well-oxygenated and helps make a patient, with severe myocarditis, become a better candidate for transplant.
1. Heart Transplant
Heart transplantation is an advanced treatment for patients with end-stage myocarditis. This is a treatment option that can be considered when the other treatment options have failed. It’s worth knowing that a heart transplant is not a cure for the disease.
It’s more like trading one medical problem that a person can no longer live with for another that can be treated. A patient will be affected by a heart transplant for the rest of their life.
These are myocarditis treatments worth knowing about.