Myocarditis facts for kids

Myocarditis, also known as inflammatory cardiomyopathy, is inflammation and infection of the heart muscle. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain, unable to exercise, and an irregular heartbeat. The duration of problems can vary from hours to months. Problems caused by this may include heart failure due to cardiomyopathy or cardiac arrest.

Images for kids

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  Diffuse ST elevation in a young male due to myocarditis and pericarditis

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  Lymphocytic myocarditis (white arrow points to a lymphocyte), commonly showing myocyte necrosis (black arrow), seen as hypereosinophilic cytoplasm with loss of striations.

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  Endomyocardial biopsy specimen with extensive eosinophilic infiltrate involving the endocardium and myocardium (hematoxylin and eosin stain)

See also

In Spanish: Miocarditis para niños