This condition is characterized by inflammation of the heart muscle. It can affect both the heart’s muscle cells and the heart’s electrical system. If it affects the heart’s electrical system is can lead to problems with the heart’s pumping function and to irregular heart rhythms. This autoimmune disease has a difficulty in diagnosis because some people autoimmune myocarditis have no noticeable symptoms.
SYMPTOMS OF THIS DISEASE
- Chest pain
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Leg swelling
- Signs of infection (fever, headache, sore throat, or diarrhea)
OUR DISEASE REPRESENTATIVES

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SPECIALISTS
- Add doctor
BLOOD TESTS
- Endomyocardial biopsy
MEDICATIONS
- Steroids: prednisoneand prednisolone
- Cyclosporine
- Azathioprine
- Muromonab-CD3 (a monoclonal antibody targeting CD3)
- Acyclovir
- Peramivir
- Ganciclovir
- Ribavirin
- Artesunate
TREATMENT
Immunosuppression is used in treatment of giant cell myocarditis.
The combination of steroids, cyclosporine, and azathioprine are commonly used.
High doses of immunoglobulin exert a beneficial effect in acute myocarditis.
AUTOIMMUNE RESOURCES
Here are some great websites, authors, podcasts and other resources to help you navigate your Autoimmune Disease.
AUTOIMMUNE STORIES
These are the women that have shared their autoimmune journey with us. Please take a moment to read some of their nrave, honest and revealing stories about their diagnosis, successes, hardships and their lives.