Cardiac Sarcoidosis
What is it?
Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that involves the body's immune cells forming clumps called "granulomas" which can damage organs in the body. Cardiac sarcoidosis occurs when this process affects the heart, which is about a quarter of all cases.
Unlike in many other organs, the heart muscle cannot regenerate after damage and may form scars. This can adversely affect the heart functions or lead to serious heart rhythm disturbances.
What are the symptoms?
Cardiac sarcoidosis can be related to symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations or blackouts.
Some patients may have no symptoms but are diagnosed incidentally.
Cardiac sarcoidosis is known to "mimic" other heart conditions in presentation. If suspected, patients should be reviewed by a specialist.
How is it diagnosed?
There is no single test capable of diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis.
The diagnosis is made by specialists with experience in managing this condition, often with the aid of advanced cardiac imaging.
How is it treated?
Treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis depends on reaching a confident diagnosis by the specialist.
The earlier a diagnosis is made the better the future outcomes.
The clinical management is offered on a case-by-case basis in partnership with the patient.
If you or your doctor suspect cardiac sarcoidosis, it is advisable to consult a specialist as soon as possible.
Who should see a specialist?
Any patient with a known history of sarcoidosis who develops:
- new cardiac symptoms, or
- abnormal ECG, or
- abnormal echocardiogram (ultrasound heart scan),
should be seen by a specialist.
Any patient with:
- unexplained advanced heart block, or
- ventricular tachycardia (a serious heart rhythm disturbance), or
- unexplained heart failure,
should also be reviewed by a specialist.
