Treatment

Myocarditis can go away on its own. In other cases, treatment is needed, and it can take time to resolve.

In general, treatments aim to:

1. Help reduce the swelling in the heart muscle     
2. Ease any symptoms (for example, chest discomfort or palpitations or other related heart rhythm issues)
3. Improve the heart’s pumping ability
4. Treat the root cause of the myocarditis – for example, an infection or an autoimmune disease

Treatments may include:

• Heart medicines to ease the workload on the heart
• Diuretics to help the body get rid of excess fluid
• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the body or other targeted medicines to suppress the immune system, such as azathioprine
• Antibiotics to fight infection caused by bacteria
• Healthy lifestyle choices 
• Usually avoiding strenuous physical activity for a period of time, often 3-6 months
• Cardiac rehabilitation for those with heart failure due to myocarditis

If the inflammation of the heart muscle disrupts the way the heart beats (its rhythm), a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be needed.

Staying up-to-date with recommended vaccines is important. For example, remember to get those that protect against the flu, rubella and COVID-19.