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Myocarditis
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
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Myocarditis at HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, we lead the way in cardiac care. Every year, our cardiology teams care for over 26,000 patients – more than any other private UK provider. And of those patients, 99% would recommend us to their family and friends.
Our expert cardiologists are supported by multidisciplinary teams in radiology, physiology and nursing to deliver seamless, fully personalised care no matter how complex the condition. We also hold more 'Outstanding' CQC ratings than any other private healthcare provider, meaning that, whether you’re at one of our five cardiac centres or 15 outpatient centres across the UK, you can be assured your heart is in safe hands.
Our expert cardiologists are supported by multidisciplinary teams in radiology, physiology and nursing to deliver seamless, fully personalised care no matter how complex the condition. We also hold more 'Outstanding' CQC ratings than any other private healthcare provider, meaning that, whether you’re at one of our five cardiac centres or 15 outpatient centres across the UK, you can be assured your heart is in safe hands.
Myocarditis is a condition that inflames the heart muscle, known as the myocardium. It can develop suddenly, or it can be recurring or long-lasting. The condition isn't affected by lifestyle, and it can't be prevented, but it can be effectively treated.
If you're concerned about your heart health, you can book a consultation with a specialist today.
Myocarditis can sometimes develop after a viral or bacterial infection, an autoimmune response, or for unknown reasons. However, most people recover fully with the right care. Symptoms usually appear about two weeks after the initial illness and may vary in severity.
If you experience any signs, expert diagnosis and treatment are available to support your recovery and protect your heart health. Symptoms of myocarditis may include:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Breathing difficulties at rest, during activity, or even when lying down
- Heart palpitations – fluttering, racing, or pounding
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias)
- Feelings of exhaustion
- Feeling light-headed or fainting
- Flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature, headaches, aching muscles, joint pain or sore throat
- Swelling in the legs, ankles or feet
At your initial consultation, we'll discuss any symptoms you are experiencing, review your medical history and carry out a physical examination to help us assess your condition.
Your consultant will recommend a personalised treatment plan and may arrange further tests if necessary. You can find more details of the tests and scans we offer below.
Viral infections are the most common cause of myocarditis, but most people recover fully with early diagnosis and the right care. When viruses cause myocarditis, the immune system can overreact and cause inflammation. Symptoms of myocarditis may appear one to two weeks after infection. Other causes of myocarditis include:
- Bacterial infections, such as sore throats and chest infections
- Fungal infections, such as athlete's foot or yeast infections
- Parasitic infections, such as toxoplasma (found in cat faeces)
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and sarcoidosis
- Medications, including medications for seizures, antibiotics, antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs
- Cancer treatments, including some chemotherapy agents and radiotherapy
- Harmful substances, such as carbon monoxide
- Illegal drugs
26,000+
Cardiac patients treated every year
99%
Success rate across all cardiac surgery
200+
Cardiology consultants for you to choose from
Next-day appointments
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis within 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Visit any one of 15 dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham
Worried about your heart, but not sure what to do?
Get in touch and book a same or next-day GP appointment.
Have a referral and need to book?
Simply book a test, scan or treatment directly today.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
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Cardiac tests and scans at HCA UK
Expert diagnosis, fast results
At HCA UK, you’ll have access to an unrivalled private diagnostics network, with the latest state-of-the-art cardiac tests, scans and imaging. And with over 75,000 electrocardiograms and 62,000 echocardiograms performed in just three years, you can rest assured you're in safe hands – we have expertise and experience you can trust.
If you have myocarditis symptoms, your consultant will conduct tests to assess your condition and work with you to create a fully personalised treatment plan. The tests they may recommend include:
If you have myocarditis symptoms, your consultant will conduct tests to assess your condition and work with you to create a fully personalised treatment plan. The tests they may recommend include:
- Blood tests
- An electrocardiogram (ECG)
- An echocardiogram
- A cardiac MRI
- A FDG PET scan
Cardiac treatments
Myocarditis treatments at HCA UK
Treatments for myocarditis are incredibly varied. For some, myocarditis symptoms resolve without treatment. However, if myocarditis has caused heart muscle and tissue damage, your treatment may involve medication to prevent or manage heart failure.
For those patients whose condition has caused heart failure, we can recommend a tailored treatment plan, including medical devices that can help improve heart function dramatically. And, with a 99% success rate across all cardiac surgery, you can rest assured that you’re in the best place for myocarditis treatment.
Treatments include:
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatories
- Medications (such as anticoagulants and beta blockers)
- Pacemakers
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)
- Ventricular assist devices (VADs)
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Myocarditis FAQs
The symptoms of myocarditis could indicate a range of cardiac conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment are always recommended. At HCA UK, you're in safe hands. Our myocarditis specialists work alongside multidisciplinary teams to deliver effective cardiac care. We offer appointments in as little as 24 hours. Please get in touch to book a GP appointment if you have any concerns.
Some symptoms of myocarditis may present like heart attack symptoms, and can indicate that you need emergency treatment. Call 999 immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Chest pain that lasts more than 15 minutes
- Chest pain that spreads to the arms, back, neck and jaw
- Severe difficulty breathing or nausea
Many people recover from myocarditis without any lasting effects. Yet, in rare cases, severe inflammation may scar the heart muscle. This can cause the heart muscle to become larger, weaker, and less capable of effectively pumping blood around the body, which is known as heart failure.
In some cases, myocarditis can also affect your heart's electrical system, leading to an irregular heart rhythm called a cardiac arrhythmia. Both heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias can make you more susceptible to blood clots forming in your heart, which could lead to a stroke or heart attack.
Possible treatments to relieve symptoms of myocarditis and support heart recovery may include:
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications
- Over-the-counter medications to help manage non-heart-related symptoms such as a high temperature
- General remedies, such as rest and plenty of fluids
If your consultant knows the cause of your myocarditis, they might prescribe a more specific treatment to address it. Depending on the severity of symptoms, your consultant might suggest the following medications:
- ACE inhibitors
- ARBs
- ARNIs
- Anticoagulants
- Beta blockers
- Corticosteroids
- Diuretics
- Mineralocorticoid inhibitors
- SGLT2 inhibitors
No, myocarditis cannot be prevented and is not caused by lifestyle. However, taking sensible steps to avoid infections can help, such as washing your hands regularly, keeping up-to-date with vaccinations, and limit your exposure to illness.
Our patients' stories
Kirti's heart rhythm story
How a life-changing cardiac procedure stopped Kirti worrying about her heart health. Kirti first felt a heart palpitation back in 2016 whilst out shopping. After delaying seeking specialist advice, she sought the expertise of Dr Mike Koa-Wing, Consultant Cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, in 2020 after the palpations got worse. Here Kirti shares her story.
Treating Helaina's heart rhythm disorder
Helaina from Northamptonshire was just 16 when she began experiencing unusual symptoms, including shortness of breath and heart palpitations, which rapidly worsened. She was otherwise fit, healthy and a huge lover of the great outdoors, leading to her family to grow concerned.
How a valve replacement helped Steve breathe easy again
When Steve found out his breathlessness was caused by a narrowed aortic valve, he was terrified of the thought of the open-heart surgery that might be needed to treat it. But with the expertise of Professor Sagar Doshi at The Harborne Hospital, he learned he could have a ‘keyhole’ alternative called TAVI.
“When I met Dr Sohaib, I knew instantly he was the right man for the job. He assured me it would all be all right.”
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.