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As you recover from your short-term treatment of heart inflammation, you will need to follow up with your doctor regularly to monitor your condition. You will want to continue all treatments as directed by your doctor, and be aware of possible complications and how to lower your risk of them.

Mild cases of myocarditis and pericarditis may go away without treatment. To treat heart inflammation, your doctor may recommend medicines to fight the infection or control the inflammation, and possibly surgery for certain cases.

Your doctor will diagnose heart inflammation based on your medical history, a physical exam, and various tests and procedures, such as echocardiography.

The signs, symptoms and complications of heart inflammation depend on whether you have endocarditis, myocarditis or pericarditis. Signs and symptoms may include fever and chills, chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and fatigue. Complications of heart inflammation may be life-threatening.

Risk factors for heart inflammation depend on the type of heart inflammation. Risk factors may include age; sex; certain genetic conditions; environment; lifestyle choices; medical conditions such as certain cancers, diabetes and HIV/AIDS; and medical procedures including artificial heart valves, pacemakers, and radiation therapy.

Heart inflammation can be caused by infections, particularly from viruses or bacteria; medicines; or damage to the heart’s tissue or muscle from autoimmune diseases, medicines, environmental factors, or other triggers.