Myocarditis is a dangerous acute disease caused by many different causes. Viral myocarditis is the most common causative agent, accounting for over 50% of all cases. The clinical setting of the disease is similar to that of a common viral infection, so it is easy to confuse and miss.

Left ventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. The disease is often not diagnosed until sudden arrhythmic death occurs. However, in a small number of people with left ventricular hypertrophy, the thickened heart muscle can cause shortness of breath and chest pain on exertion, but has not been properly examined and treated.

Symptoms of acute myocarditis, such as chest pain and arrhythmias, are similar to those of other heart conditions. Therefore, early recognition and differentiation of signs of myocarditis play an important role for timely and correct treatment.

Myocarditis is an acute or chronic inflammatory disease of the heart, with the potential to cause myocardial necrosis. Acute myocarditis rarely occurs alone, but is often accompanied by inflammation of the endocardium and pericardium.