Are heart palpitations a sign of myocarditis?

Mar 09, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Tian Hongbo

Introduction

Premature contractions are not the same as myocarditis. Premature contractions refer to irregular heartbeats that may represent normal physiological phenomena but could also be associated with organic heart disease. Myocarditis, on the other hand, is usually related to viral infections. These two conditions are distinct; however, severe myocarditis may trigger premature contractions, leading to irregular heartbeats.

Generally speaking, cardiac premature beats refer to premature contractions. Premature contractions are not myocarditis. If discomfort occurs, timely medical attention is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:

Premature contractions typically refer to heartbeats that occur earlier than normal or happen repeatedly, which may be related to emotional excitement, tension, fatigue, strenuous exercise, and other factors. However, they may also be caused by conditions such as coronary atherosclerotic heart disease or cardiomyopathy. Patients may experience symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, and discomfort. Myocarditis mainly results from viral infection of the myocardium, leading to an inflammatory response in the heart muscle, manifesting as chest tightness, chest pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. Therefore, premature contractions are not equivalent to myocarditis; the former is an abnormal cardiac symptom, while the latter is a disease.

However, if myocarditis becomes severe and remains untreated, causing damage to cardiac function, premature contractions may develop. Thus, there is a certain association between the two. To clarify the underlying cause, it is recommended to follow medical advice and undergo routine electrocardiogram (ECG), ambulatory ECG, and other related examinations promptly for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

It should also be noted that if discomfort occurs, prompt bed rest is necessary, avoiding physical activity to prevent additional strain on the heart. Additionally, maintaining a reasonable diet is important, with recommendations to consume bland and mild foods.

View All

After swimming, I feel a slight stabbing pain in my heart. What could be causing this, and what should I do?

In general, chest pain after swimming may be related to pathological factors such as changes in breathing patterns, cold stimulation, pleurisy, viral myocarditis, and acute pericarditis. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention at a hospital to determine the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment. Additionally, it is advisable to perform adequate warm-up exercises before swimming, select suitable exercise intensity and duration based on individual physical condition, and avoid excessive fatigue.

View Full Answer

Why does fever occur at night but not during the day with Type A flu, and what should be done?

In general, fever refers to an elevated body temperature. Developing a fever at night while having a normal temperature during the day after contracting H1N1 influenza may be caused by changes in the body's temperature regulation rhythm, slowed nighttime metabolism, upper respiratory tract infection, viral pneumonia, myocarditis, or other reasons. Treatment can be administered under a doctor's guidance through general care, medication, or other therapeutic approaches. If symptoms of H1N1 influenza appear, prompt medical attention should be sought, and treatment should be conducted according to the doctor's instructions.