Sarcoidosisis an autoimmune disease that producesgranulomasclumps of abnormal cells similar to scar tissuein various organs, including the heart.
When granulomas develop in the heart, they are known as cardiac sarcoidosis.
Diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis and instituting appropriate treatment is critically important in these cases.
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This article explores the symptoms, causes, and treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis and its impact on life expectancy.
What Is Sarcoidosis?
A propensity for sarcoidosis can also run in families.
The symptoms of sarcoidosis are quite varied.
Some people develop a flu-like condition with fatigue, fever, and weight loss.
Others will have predominantly pulmonary symptoms such as cough,dyspnea(shortness of breath), or wheezing.
Eye problems include redness, pain, blurred vision, and light sensitivity.
Any combination of these symptoms may occur.
What Is Cardiac Sarcoidosis?
Cardiac sarcoidosis happens when sarcoid granulomas develop in the heart.
As with other types of sarcoidosis, the manifestations of cardiac sarcoidosis vary from person to person.
In some people, cardiac sarcoidosis causes no problems whatsoever; in others, it can be fatal.
The severity of cardiac sarcoidosis depends on the extent and the location of granuloma formation within the heart.
About 5% of people with sarcoidosis are diagnosed with cardiac involvement during their lifetimes.
This suggests that cardiac sarcoidosis usually does not produce identifiable clinical problems.
However, When sarcoidosis produces cardiac problems, those problems can be severe.
Cardiac Sarcoidosis Symptoms
The problems produced by cardiac sarcoidosis depend on where granulomas appear in the heart.
First, doctors need to know when they should look for cardiac sarcoidosis.
Looking for cardiac sarcoidosis is essential for people known to have sarcoidosis, which affects other body organs.
In sarcoidosis, this is usually done with glucocorticoid (steroid) therapy, most commonly with prednisone.
This often starts at about 3040 milligrams per day.
Over the first year, this dose might be gradually reduced.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may be used to prevent sudden death from ventricular arrhythmias.
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