Highlights
- Myocarditis is a heart condition that includes inflammation of the heart muscles known as the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart
- Children under 16 years of age who have suffered from COVID-19 have 37 times higher chances of developing Myocarditis
- Myocarditis in children could also be the effect of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS).
The COVID-19 virus has been a serious threat to the entire planet and has posed a challenge for healthcare communities across the world. People with co-morbidity issues like diabetes and hypertension were affected the most, and some even lost their lives. Due to this, Myocarditis in children is becoming another topic to think about.
COVID-19 Is A Severe Catalyst
The COVID-19 virus has acted as a severe catalyst and heart and lung issues were common in the people infected by it. Myocarditis in children was even reported after the COVID-19 vaccination in some cases. This was majorly seen within young adults and males adolescents, and they were all reported after the mRNA vaccines, i.e. Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.
The symptoms started to show after a few days of vaccination. It was mostly after the second dose of vaccination.
Myocarditis is a heart condition that involves the inflammation of heart muscles known as the myocardium, the muscular layer of the heart. This inflammation affects the heart’s ability to pump blood, and this can lead to abnormal and rapid rhythms of the heart, which is also known as Arrhythmias.
COVID And Myocarditis In Children
People across all age groups who have been infected by COVID-19 have 16 times more chances of developing myocarditis than the ones who have not been affected by the virus. There is no evidence of a direct association between COVID-19 and myocarditis, but studies are being conducted regarding the same.
The risk of myocarditis is 37 times more in children who are infected by COVID-19. Children under the age of 16 and people in the age group of 17 to 39 have seven times more chances of getting myocarditis than uninfected people.
Myocarditis cases have been observed in children with COVID-19, but it is suspected that this could be due to multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS). Cases of myocarditis after vaccination were easily resolved.
RISK FACTORS FOR MYOCARDITIS
As COVID-19 has affected the health of the heart to a significant extent, some cases of myocarditis have been noted. Often, the real cause of myocarditis in children isn’t recognized. Apart from COVID-19, some other existing illnesses like hypertension and cholesterol can make the condition even worse.
Some of the risk factors for myocarditis comprise obesity, excessive stress, and inherited cardiac diseases. The signs and symptoms should be treated carefully and seriously and a doctor should be consulted immediately whenever the person is having mild to severe chest pain, unexplainable exhaustion, shortness of breath, fluid buildup with swelling in legs, ankles, and feet, and irregular and rapid heartbeat.
When myocarditis becomes severe, it weakens the heart and the rest of the body doesn’t get sufficient blood. In some cases, blood clots are formed in the heart, which leads to a stroke or heart attack.
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PREVENTION AND ACTIONS
Even though there is no particular prevention for myocarditis, taking proper precautions after the awareness of the condition and observing symptoms can keep the condition from worsening. These steps include:
- Isolating yourself if you have flu or viral fever or anything similar and staying away from people who have the same.
- Taking the vaccines when necessary and if recommended.
- Avoiding smoking and tobacco consumption.
- Regular exercising.
- Staying hydrated.
- Weight maintenance.
- A balanced and healthy diet with an adequate amount of proteins and minerals.
- Keeping heart health in check, going for a regular check-up every six months if recovered from COVID-19.
The risk is definitely high, but it is avoidable. You can avoid this by taking small precautions and abiding by COVID rules. The younger generation needs to understand that the risk factors for all age groups are definitely different but, nonetheless, hazardous.
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