What is myocarditis?

• A. Inflammation of the heart muscle
• B. Inflammation of the heart lining
• C. Blockage of coronary arteries
• D. Infection of the heart valves

Answer: (A)

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. The myocardium is the muscular layer responsible for pumping, so when it becomes inflamed, the heart may not pump as effectively and electrical signals can be disrupted, leading to symptoms like fatigue, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or palpitations. It can result from infections (often viral), autoimmune processes, drugs, or toxins and can range from mild to severe, sometimes causing heart failure or arrhythmias.

This is the best description because it directly defines what the term myocarditis means. Inflammation of the heart lining describes pericarditis, not myocarditis. A blockage of the coronary arteries points to a myocardial infarction (heart attack) due to ischemia. Infection of the heart valves describes endocarditis, which involves the valves rather than the muscle.