Myocarditis in athletes

Posted By Steve on February 03, 1999 at 19:49:59:







My name is Steve and I'm 16 years old.  In January of 98 I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, I was wrestling and during the match I was extremly fatigued.  When I came off the mat I collapsed. After 15 minutes I was fine.  The next day I went to the doctor and he sent me to a cardiologist who diagnosed me with cardiomyopathy. Along with that I had damaged my heart when I wrestled with it in the weakened state. I was through playing sports until that May when he told me that I could play football that summer, but my parents wanted a second opinion. So that July I went to a specialist in Pittsburgh (Dr. David Rosenbloom). Here I was diagnosed  with myocarditis.  The doctor said I was very lucky because my heart was normal but I couldn't play any sports or do any heavy lifting for one full year.  Since sports are a large part of my life and since my heart was normal I felt this was over doing it on the restrictions.  I would like to participate in sports my senior year but I don't think I'll be ready with these continued restrictions because my last appointment is one week before football starts.  Could someone help me understand why I have the continued restrictions if my heart is back to normal.  I would appreciate any and all responses.