According to a recent case study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, a 31-year-old man suffered from myocarditis after being diagnosed with monkeypox. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle, usually caused by a viral infection. Let’s say the patient had a SARS-CoV-2 infection two months before monkeypox. In this case, the researchers suspect that the acute myocarditis may have been caused by monkeypox.

Since the man had already recovered from COVID-19 and had monkeypox symptoms, doctors believe that monkeypox could be the source of the heart disease.

Commenting on the same, the authors of the study say: “There are few cases of histologically confirmed myocarditis, and viral myocarditis directly caused by SARS-CoV-2 has not been definitively confirmed.”

The man is believed to have visited a health clinic five days after developing symptoms, which included a rash, fever and multiple swollen sores on his face, hands and genitals.

Learn more about the case

Monkeypox infection was confirmed by PCR of the wound swab. However, the patient returned to the emergency room three days later complaining of chest tightness. He was subsequently admitted to the care center after an initial routine examination with clinical suspicion of acute myocarditis. Although the patient made a full recovery and was discharged after a week, the study authors said further research is needed to determine the link between monkeypox and heart injury.

The authors of the study also said that, as reported by Medical News Today, “smallpox is associated with cardiovascular problems.”

can chicken pox cause heart problems

According to the National Institute for Biotechnology Information, smallpox is not a fatal disease, but it can sometimes cause life-threatening complications. Including myocarditis, pericarditis and endocarditis. These are all heart related problems.

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