CDC has some recent info on the unusual complication of carditis secondary to lyme disease. http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/healthcare/index.html
3 middle-aged pts had had fatal heart attacks. all tested positive for undiagnosed lyme disease with carditis. some sx included typical lyme fatigue, arthritic pain and also dyspnea, SOB and anxiety. it is suggested that if a pt starts c/o SOB, syncope, muscle pain and fatigue that the hx include whether they've sustained any tick bites. (NB: in pts w/ lyme carditis only 40% showed the bullseye rash.)
SInce we have a lot of infected ticks around here, I am going out to buy DEET and permethrin .:sad:
3 middle-aged pts had had fatal heart attacks. all tested positive for undiagnosed lyme disease with carditis. some sx included typical lyme fatigue, arthritic pain and also dyspnea, SOB and anxiety. it is suggested that if a pt starts c/o SOB, syncope, muscle pain and fatigue that the hx include whether they've sustained any tick bites. (NB: in pts w/ lyme carditis only 40% showed the bullseye rash.)
SInce we have a lot of infected ticks around here, I am going out to buy DEET and permethrin .:sad:
