He suddenly collapsed while exercising and was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment. Doctor learned that Mr. Zhou had experienced symptoms of a cold five days earlier and strongly suspected that it was a viral infection that led to acute fulminant myocarditis.
Lin Xiaoming, Director of the cardiovascular department of Hainan Chengmei Hospital, introduced that this is a kind of myocardial damage with a critical onset and a very high mortality rate, and it occurs more often in young people.
Director Xiaoming Lin
What is fulminant myocarditis?
Myocarditis, in simple terms, refers to inflammation of the heart muscle cells, and viral infection is the main culprit that leads to it.
Lin Xiaoming introduced, violent myocarditis is the most serious and special category of myocarditis, which is an extremely dangerous disease that can caught all ages, in which young adults are the high incidence of the disease. Most of them are caused by viral or bacterial infections after the decline of their own immunity due to overwork and mental stress, and are mainly characterised by a rapid onset and extremely rapid progression of the disease, with critical conditions such as low blood pressure, cardiogenic shock and sudden cardiac death, and a high mortality rate of 70%-80%.
It is important to note that most fulminant myocarditis is caused by viral colds, but not all viral colds cause myocarditis. According to data, about 4 percent of viral infections may attack the heart, and about 50,000 cases of fulminant myocarditis occur in China every year.
Lin Xiaoming introduced that because the onset symptoms of fulminant myocarditis are often manifested as fever, malaise, nasal congestion, cough, abdominal pain, vomiting, etc., it is easy to be treated as a common cold or acute gastroenteritis, but as time passes, the patient may experience special symptoms such as shortness of breath, dyspnoea, chest tightness or chest pain, palpitations, dizziness and fatigue. This may be an early warning sign that the virus is invading the heart.
Therefore, during colds and flu, especially when symptoms worsen or specific symptoms appear, you should seek medical attention to screen for the possibility of myocarditis, especially for fulminant myocarditis, in order to avoid missing the best time for treatment.
Lin Xiaoming reminded that young people who are usually healthy and have no underlying diseases should pay enough attention and seek timely medical checkups when symptoms other than the common cold, such as palpitations, chest tightness, chest pain, and dyspnoea, occur in the event of prolonged late-night stays, fatigue, and emotional fluctuations.
How to prevent and deal with it?
Lin Xiaoming said prevention is more important than treatment for fulminant myocarditis. Especially in spring and winter when viral respiratory diseases are frequent, it is important to actively take various preventive measures, such as maintaining healthy living habits, strengthening ones own immunity, actively receiving influenza vaccination, washing hands and wearing face masks diligently to prevent viral infections.
Especially in spring and winter when viral respiratory diseases are frequent, it is important to actively take various preventive measures, such as maintaining healthy living habits, strengthening ones own immunity, actively receiving influenza vaccination, washing hands and wearing face masks diligently to prevent viral infections.
Moreover, regular physical examinations are one of the important means to prevent myocarditis, which can check heart function and health status, detect potential problems early, and protect heart health.
Lin Xiaoming special reminded: Do not engage in intense exercise or overexert yourself during a viral infection. The virus itself is not terrifying, but the virus may harm your heart. Once fulminant myocarditis occurs, it can be life-threatening!
Introduction of the expert
Text from Huang Fei