Myocarditis

[roycogliandolo]

I was recently hospitalized with sever heart burn after driking pretty heavily on one weekened.  I also had a fever the last few days.  The heart burn had gotten so severe i could not sleep so i decided to go the emergency room to get some pain killers.  Doctors decided to do an EKG just in case. It turned out to be abonormal.  They asked me if i was a cocaine user and i told them i was not.  They then sent in a cadiologist who thought i was having a heart attack or that i might have suffered one already.  My blood enzymes were high.  They performed a echocadiorgram which showed a part of my heart not pumping right and an MRI which showed abnormalities.  They sent me to get a heart catheder and found that my blood vessels were as good as new, however, that the squeezing functions of my heart were not normal.  My ejection fraction was 40%. Myocarditis was suspected. I was released two days later and told not to smoke or drink alcohol and given 3 prescriptions for my heart.
I went back 3 week later for a follow up. The doctor has really scared me by telling me that this is a serious condition. That a 40% ejection fraction is not normal for a 28 year old.  That this could possibly get worse and one day i might need a transplant.   I dont handle this type of news well and i have been depressed for a week now thinking I am going to die soon.  Can you offer me any encouraging news from all this that would possibly make me feel better.  Is a 40% ejection fraction a very huge cause for concern?  Could the heavy drinking from two days before have affected my ejection fraction?

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Dear royogliandolo,

I am sorry to hear about the cardiac problems you are having.
Based on what I have read, the cause of the reduction in your ejection fraction is unclear. People with reduced ejection fractions are at increased risk of death. However, beta blockers and ACE-Inhibitors can reduce this risk but will not normalize the risk. Also, alcohol can cause a reduction in ejection fraction. Thus, I would recommend avoiding alcohol and starting an exercise program. I think discussing transplantation is somewhat premature for now. Depending on the cause of your condition, it may be reversible. With that said, this is a serious condition which will require close follow-up with your cardiologist. Hope your condition improves.


Thanks for your question,


CCF-MD-KE

[ICDJES]

Boy,can I relate... w/all except the drinking part... never did drink much and only wine when I did... at 44 I found myself in intern's office for routine physical which changed (probably saved) my life... while doing an EKG she determined I had an arrhythmia and ordered me to go immediately to cardio's office which I did... he put me on treadmill for about 30 seconds and ordered me into hosp under care of an EP (electrophysiologist)(heart rhythm (electrical) specialist)  who did any number of tests over a period of 15 days, one being an EP Study and another being a MUGA Scan, and for good measure a heart tissue biopsy... when all was said and done it was determined I had V-tach, bradycardia, MVP (mitral valve prolapse) and DCM (dialated cardiomyopathy) w/an EF of 42% ... all probably from myocarditis ... I also was informed that I would most likely be needing a heart TX w/in the next 10 years... that was over 13 yrs ago and I'm happy to say no TX so far nor am I still hearing that one is in my furture... due to diet and moderate exercise (walking 3 X per week and some biking) I've brought the EF up to 51%  ... I never did drink all that much and gave it up completely for years... I do now have an occassional glass of wine w/dinner (maybe once every 2 wks) ... I have an ICD for safe measure and take 60 mg of Inderal LA once a day ... more recently I asked about a 81mg aspirin for good luck... cardio said why not, won't hurt, might help... so try not to be overly concerned... avoid alcohol, caffiene, stress ... read as much as you can about your condition and take charge of your ailment... find a good cardio that you feel comfortable w/and trust and stick w/a healthy lifestyle... good luck to you!!!

[roycogliandolo]

Where would you recommend i do more research at?  I have tried the web but not really finding similar stories to yours and mines.  I have and still have not symptoms from myocarditis or low ejection fraction so this is all so weird to me.  Where you put on any medication?  Were you told that you ejection fraction could get worse and worse?  Are you completely healed?  I would like to hear more stories like yours.

[ICDJES]

I'm not "completely healed" as I still have inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, mvp, dcm but my EF didn't drop as they were certain it would ... it climbed to 51% w/in a few years and has stayed there every since... the only thing EP can attribute that to is the moderate exercise and heart healthy diet... if you'd like to you can email me @ ***@****... mention this msg board in the subject matter.