Understand the heart disease that took Ganso off the field

Many of the most unfortunate and common situations in football are injuries. Classic names such as torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) or knee meniscus have become popular knowledge among those who follow football, and are frequently mentioned.

However, every now and then a new name appears, to worry and sadden the football fan. This time, myocarditis took Ganso, from Fluminense, off the field, and raised several doubts about heart disease.

The cause of Paulo Henrique Ganso’s temporary absence is inflammation in the heart muscle, called the myocardium. The importance of this muscle is extreme, as it is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body.

Inflammation in the myocardium can occur for different reasons, and at different levels of severity, but it affects blood supply to all parts of the body. It is generally caused by viral infections, especially those caused by parvovirus B19, adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2 – the famous Coronavirus, which made myocarditis much more common after the pandemic.

Another alternative is the origin of autoimmune diseases, bacterial infections or toxins that infect the body. Even the use of drugs can lead to the development of myocarditis.

The main symptoms initiated by myocardial infection are fatigue, shortness of breath (since the lack of irrigation compromises the transport of oxygen and gas exchange throughout the body) and chest pain. In some cases, arrhythmia is even felt.

Myocarditis is often quickly identified by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, which diagnoses inflammation, edema and fibrosis in the heart. By differentiating myocardial inflammation from other heart diseases, it is possible to provide more efficient treatments for each patient.

Here, there are also several possibilities, which change depending on the cause of myocarditis. They all need rest and symptom control, but each one requires a different type of treatment.

For viral infections, the administration of antiviral medications. In autoimmune cases, the use of immunomodulators. Furthermore, the use of anti-inflammatories is always useful to combat inflammation, as well as ACE inhibitors and beta blockers to stabilize cardiac function.

Whatever the cause, the most essential thing is constant medical monitoring. This is what cardiologist Dr. Raphael Boesche Guimarães: “Regular monitoring, with imaging exams and functional tests, is crucial to assess the heart’s recovery and prevent relapses. In the case of athletes, this is even more important to ensure a safe return to sports.”

The same goes for recovery time, which is different for each case, severity of inflammation and response to treatment. “In many cases, complete recovery is possible, but it requires patience and rigorous care. It is essential not to rush to return to physical activities, as this can worsen the condition or generate complications”, says the doctor.

To guarantee a shorter time, the essential thing is to recognize the body’s signals to seek care as soon as the first symptom is noticed. “Myocarditis is a serious condition, but with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the chances of recovery are high. It is a reminder that health must always come first, even for high-performance athletes”, concludes Dr.

To avoid late diagnoses, routine exams can even be carried out. This was the case of Ganso, who discovered the inflammation in his pre-season exams at Fluminense, without any symptoms. Due to the speed, he should be reevaluated within four weeks, considering his official return to the field.