Chapter 16

Inflammatory Heart Disease

A. Bharath Kumar and M.S. Umashankar

Abstract

The inflammation of the heart muscles is caused by the virus, fungi, bacteria, food, smoke, air, and parasites that increase the inflammatory conditions in the heart muscles known as inflammatory heart disease. Endocarditis is an infection that occurs in the inner lining of the heart valves. Endocarditis commonly occurs by the bacteria, fungi or other microbial species present in the body, reaches the blood stream and leads to damaging the heart. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium which is present in the middle layer of the heart. It is caused by a viral species infection. The clinical manifestations of the myocarditis include chest pain, fatigue, edema, breathlessness, joint pain, fever, weakness, palpitations and abnormal heart rhythms. Pericarditis is a clinical condition in which the cell membrane around the heart is inflamed. The more amount of fluid deposit around the heart may increase the risk of inflammation and causes pericarditis. The electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, echocardiogram, treadmill test; coronary angiogram test can determine the severity of cardiovascular disease. The management of inflammatory heart disease includes antibiotics, corticosteroids, antiplatelets, diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and beta blockers control the progression of inflammatory situations associated with the heart.

Total Pages: 208-228 (21)

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