'Those who recover from respiratory infections can contract heart flu'

People who have experienced upper respiratory tract ailments with general symptoms such as sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath, and malaise often present to hospitals after a while with symptoms such as heart palpitations, chest pain, and a stabbing sensation in the chest.

Most of these cases are diagnosed with heart flu, which has been frequently encountered in recent years.

Prof. Dr. Kaya stated that heart flu is inflammation of the heart muscle that develops after upper respiratory tract infections.

Stating that they have observed an increase in the diagnosis and follow-up of heart flu following COVID-19 cases, Kaya expressed that most patients present to clinics with specific complaints following respiratory tract infections.

Prof. Dr. Kaya emphasized that patients have had a respiratory tract infection, saying, "After a period of 10-15 days, patients have complaints such as stabbing, burning, pressure in the chest, shortness of breath, a pressure that increases especially when lying on their back, sharp chest pain, and palpitations. We see this ailment in all age groups, with young men being more frequent, but we observe it more often in men between the ages of 20 and 50."

Underlining that they recommend rest first and then supportive treatment to patients after diagnosis, Kaya stated that they apply medication-based treatment to regulate heart rhythms if there is a decrease in the patient's heart functions.

Prof. Dr. Kaya said, "In recent days, young deaths have been occupying our agenda. We, of course, think that a large portion of these are heart attacks. However, we also think that some of these may be related to myocarditis (heart flu). Here, while 70-80 percent of our patients recover spontaneously without many complaints, a group of 20-25 percent applies to us. A rare portion can result in death due to heart failure and serious rhythm disturbances."

"NEARLY TWO MILLION PEOPLE DIAGNOSED"

Stating that according to a worldwide study, nearly 2 million people were diagnosed with heart flu last year, Kaya said that as a result of autopsies performed on 1500 people, it was determined that only 1 percent of all cases died due to heart flu.

Prof. Dr. Kaya emphasized that they recommend cardiology examinations for patients who have such complaints, especially after respiratory tract infections, and warned, "My advice to those who are diagnosed with myocarditis and followed up with this diagnosis is to keep their immune systems strong. They should stay away from factors that impair health such as smoking and alcohol, and listen to their bodies in subsequent upper respiratory tract infections... I recommend that those who might get heart flu again with these complaints apply to a doctor. This can recur like the flu. 15 to 30 percent of patients with myocarditis can get heart flu again."

Noting that 19-year-old Arın Kıraç, who presented to the clinic with complaints of chest pain, came to them with a complaint of chest pain that woke him from sleep and lasted for an hour, Kaya stated that they detected an elevation in heart muscle enzymes in the examinations.

Prof. Dr. Kaya added that they followed Kıraç in the ward for about 2-3 days, took his heart ultrasounds, electrocardiographs (ECG), and MRIs, and that the patient returned to his normal life after the convalescence process.

"I HAD NEVER HEARD OF HEART FLU"

University student Kıraç explained that he woke up one morning with incredible pain in his chest.

Stating that he initially thought he was having a heart attack while sleeping in bed, Kıraç said, "It was an unbearable pain. I woke my parents up, and we came to the hospital. As a result of the examinations, I was diagnosed with heart flu. After a long period of rest, I am now back to normal. I had never heard of heart flu in my life. It was the first time that day that Dr. Adnan Hoca mentioned it. That's how I learned about it that day."

Explaining that people were surprised when he told them he had heart flu, Kıraç noted the following:

"People started asking 'What is heart flu?' Adnan Hoca had explained it to me in detail, and I explained it to them. I stayed in the hospital for three days and then returned home. I had to take a break from my exercises. I didn't go out for a long time, and I paid attention to my nutrition. I don't smoke anyway. A few months later, the doctor told me, 'You can go out comfortably, but take care of yourself a little, don't push yourself.' After a while, I returned to my sports and started working. I am generally interested in bodybuilding and football."