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In summer, many people notice their hands, ankles, and feet begin to swell a little more than normal. Even though most of the time, it is nothing to worry about, however, many experts feel it can be a sign of myocarditis – a condition that kills one young person every week in the United Kingdom.
According to a report in The Sun, last month Andy Jansons, chair of the charity Myocarditis UK whose son Alexander died from the condition aged 18, said: "It’s so important to be aware of the symptoms and know that it’s OK to seek medical help if you’re experiencing them."
What is Myocarditis?
The Cleveland Clinic says myocarditis is the inflammation of your heart muscle which becomes weak, making it difficult for your heart to pump properly. This rare condition affects people quickly or slowly over time. Doctors say myocarditis is different from other types of inflammation because each kind happens in a different part of your heart.
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According to statistics, there are around 1.5 million cases of myocarditis in the world each year. This works out to 10 to 20 people affected out of every 100,000 people.
Signs and symptoms of myocarditis
Apart from swelling in your limbs, a few other signs and symptoms of myocarditis, include:
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- Breathlessness
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Fever
- Pain in the chest
- Palpitations in your heart
- Pain in the abdomen
- Lightheadedness
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Fainting
- Loss of appetite
- Swelling in legs and feet
- Not being able to exercise
What causes myocarditis?
Doctors say myocarditis affects anyone at any age and is usually related to a recent viral infection like flu and COVID-19. Even though the virus may have gone, the immune system overreacts, causing inflammation that can persist in the heart.
Also, in a few rare cases, myocarditis has happened in young people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines for COVID-19. Doctors say the symptoms start during the first week after receiving the vaccine. Most people who have this reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine recover quickly after treatment and can get back to their regular activities when they feel better. A few other causes include:
- Bacterial infection
- Fungi
- Chagas disease
- Rheumatic fever
- Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- Things you’re exposed to, like radiation or heavy metals
According to doctors, early detection and treatment help lower the risk of long-term complications or fatalities from the condition. With increased awareness, members of the public are better informed to monitor their own health and ask the correct questions of their GP if they are concerned.
Who is at risk of getting myocarditis?
Doctors say some of the things that put you at risk for myocarditis cannot be changed, and these include:
- Being a male
- Being young
- If you have inflammation and even though you do not inherit myocarditis, your genes influence how your body handles inflammation and how likely you are to get the condition
- You drink more alcohol than the limit assigned by your doctor
Also, a few medical treatments increase your risk of myocarditis, like:
- Dialysis
- Implanted heart devices
- Radiation for cancer treatment
- Treatments for heart issues