could this be myocarditis?

[hopeful_73]

Hello!

I have been suffering from covid for 4 months and my heart seems to be getting weaker. The heart itself feels different/strained as soon as I do the slightest bit of exertion eg walking a few mins, having a cold shower, even just lifting a litre bottle of water! Over the course of the illness the sensation of my heart has evolved. and is getting worse! At first it literally felt like it was being attacked at night with burning sensations and a couple of occasions when i got serious pain in the heart lasting about 30 mins or so. I've also had pressure in the chest accompanied by feeling v unwell and nauseous. My 2 week heart monitor and echo were fine and told by the cardio it is stress or hormones! Does this sound like myocarditis symptoms? I am going to push for an mri but does this have to be done with contrast?

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Sorry to hear that you appear to have long Covid.

Have you bern referred to a Cardiologist or Long Covid Clinic?

A Cardiac MRI uses a chemical Adenosine which increases your heart rate.

The other chemical that is sometimes used is gadolinium.

Covid can effect the heart muscle itself or the function of the blood vessels, microvascular dysfunction or vasospastic angina.

[hopeful_73 in reply to Milkfairy]

Something is def going on for sure! I had both my ecg and echo done privately as i could see the waiting time would be long and managed to get the money together. I am speaking to the cardio again the week after next as things are getting worse and to ask for an mri. the thing is i already have neuro issues from lyme disease so fear having any dye pumped in! I am hoping that they can see something without the need for the dye.

[Lizzo30 in reply to hopeful_73]

Have you considered an alkaline diet to help? Bicarbonate of soda half a teaspoon or a cucumber and melon smoothie may help - covid doesn't thrive so well in alkaline

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to hopeful_73]

There are other tests such as an echocardiogram that can look at how well the heart muscle is working.

I suggest if you are worried about any dyes they use to discuss your concerns with a Radiologist as they are the real experts on the constrast dyes used in the various tests.

Good luck.