Young athletes who have suffered from the coronavirus may be at a heightened risk of suffering acute Myocarditis due to its capacity to cause heart inflammation, a doctor has warned.
Dr. Jason Robin, a cardiologist at NorthShore Medical Group in Glenview, Illinois, told the Glenview Patch steps should be taken to monitor the health of young athletes returning to sporting activity after catching the disease.
He noted that myocarditis is not uncommon in the aftermath of a viral infection, but the incidence of this is likely to be “very low” among patients who had asymptomatic Covid or only very mild symptoms.
For those who had more significant symptoms of fever, such as muscular aches, he advised that patients be given a cardiac evaluation, which could include an echocardiogram and a blood test.
Dr Robin warned that another risk of myocarditis arises from a cytokine storm and suggested young people returning to sport should be monitored for some weeks after their resumption of activity.
He added: “I also say that the first week after return to play there should be a dial up where they take about five to seven days to get back to 100 percent participation,” emphasising that sports competitors should still be encouraged to return to action swiftly.
According to Dr Robin, the form of myocarditis arising in the aftermath of a covid-19 infection bears a close resemblance to that commonly seen following immunotherapy.
The issue of myocarditis among young athletes in the aftermath of coronavirus infections has been a major concern following the collapse of basketball player Keyontae Johnson during a game earlier this month.
Johnson, who was playing for the University of Florida, was diagnosed with myocarditis after the incident. He had suffered with Covid-19 during the summer.
