Investigations are being conducted by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after a small number of teens and young adults reported having heart problems after being vaccinated for COVID-19.
The presence of “Myocarditis” among younger vaccine recipients after “relatively few” cases of the unusual heart symptom surfaced, has caused the CDC safety committee to alert doctors of this medical possibility. During a press briefing Monday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that President Joe Biden has been informed of the reported cases and that the administration will continue to advise young people to get vaccinated.
“Our health and medical experts still continue to convey that it is the right step for 12- to 15-year-olds to get vaccinated, that these are limited cases, and that, obviously, the risks of contracting COVID are certainly significant even for people of that age,” Psaki said.
The reported cases appear to be mild and typically begin within four days after the second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, health officials say.
The CDC has yet to determine if the vaccines were the cause of the reported heart condition.
“What’s important to know and to recognize is that the rates that we’re seeing of myocarditis are no higher than what we would experience normally,” Dr. Ted O’Connell “So, we don’t know if it’s associated with the vaccine or not.”
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle that minimizes its ability to pump blood normally and can cause increased or abnormal heart rhythms. Medical experts say the condition is usually caused by viral infections but can also be a reaction to a drug introduced into the body.
Mild cases of myocarditis include symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath. In more serious cases, symptoms may include rapid or abnormal heart rhythms, shortness of breath during rest or physical activity, fatigue, and fluid retention with the swelling of limbs.
Medical experts at Mayo Clinic say myocarditis can be fatal if not treated immediately. Heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and sudden cardiac death can occur in severe cases.
Children with myocarditis show some signs and symptoms which can include fever, fainting, difficulty in breathing, rapid breathing, and rapid or abnormal heart rhythms.Children and adults who may be experiencing any of these symptoms are urged to immediately seek medical attention.
To resolve the condition of myocarditis, it’s been found that the inflamed heart condition can improve on its own. Treatment if given focuses on the cause of the condition and symptoms, such as heart failure and shortness of breath. Doctors recommend getting a lot of rest and taking medication to help fight off the infection. Experts say that although antiviral medications are available, they are not proven effective in treatment for most cases of the heart condition.