Penn State doctor says 30-35% of Big Ten athletes testing positive for COVID-19 had myocarditis symptoms.

Cardiac MRI scans revealed that roughly a third of all athletes who have tested positive for the coronavirus appear to have myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, said Penn State’s director of athletic medicine.

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle that can lead to arrhythmia, cardiac arrest and death, especially in a person who doesn’t know they have it and performs rigorous exercise. The risk of myocarditis was a prime reason behind the Big Ten Conference’s decision to postpone the upcoming football season.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “In many cases, myocarditis improves on its own or with treatment, leading to a complete recovery.”

Even in mild cases of myocarditis, however, the clinic suggests that “persons should avoid competitive sports for at least three to six months.”

The cause of COVID-19 myocarditis is unclear. Some researchers speculate that the coronavirus may sometimes directly infect the heart.

Another possible culprit is the immune system’s response against the virus. When it fires out of control — a severe inflammatory reaction known as a cytokine storm — it can damage organs throughout the body, including the heart.

References:

1. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/bigten/2020/09/03/big-ten-athletes-covid-had-myocarditis-symptoms-one-third-cases/5704234002/
2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/09/03/big-ten-coronavirus-myocarditis/
3. https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200415/covid-19-can-trigger-serious-heart-injuries