Hi There,

I am a 32 year old, male athlete who 5 months ago caught a virus which attacked my heart. (during the attack I had acute pericarditis symptoms)

The virus has left me with chronic pericarditis, which leaves me unable to work more than 3 days a week.
For the last four months, I have been taking 2,000mg Aspirin with 1.5mg of Colchicine per day to assist with the flare ups and pain.

I have had 3 echocardiagrams taken which show normal heart function and no particular abnormalities and I have recently had a Thallium stress test done which showed no major defects with my heart. So I guess that just leaves pericarditis as the problem?

The symptoms seem to slowly alleviate over a long period, but set backs occur easily. I have found that alcohol and chocolate really aggravate the condition and bring on big flare ups which leave me unable to walk up or down stairs, or work.

I now go out of my way to avoid alcohol and chocolate, I have also changed my diet for the last 4 months, as I now only eat organic fruit, vegetables and meat, but I am still having great trouble recovering from this heart problem.

Prior to the virus I was very fit and I had a healthy heart, so I am quite suprised that I am unable to recover from this problem.

If any one could share some advice on this condition, or ways to improve recovery I would be very grateful.

Many Thanks

Marc