Myocarditis in Alphonso Davies: Experts explain what the effects of the disease could be

Created: 01/14/2022 13:33

Munich defender Alphonso Davies holds his hands in front of his face.

He suffered heart muscle inflammation.

© Matthias Balk/dpa

Alphonso Davies will be absent from FC Bayern Munich for the time being.

The full-back has suffered heart muscle inflammation, which is probably related to Corona.

Munich – shock news for Bayern: defender Alphonso Davies has suffered heart muscle inflammation.

The Canadian is out for the time being, as coach Julian Nagelsmann reported at the press conference before the game at 1. FC Köln.

"In the follow-up examination that we do with every player who was infected with Corona, we found signs of mild myocarditis. He is out of training for the time being and will not be available for the next few weeks either. It has to heal completely. But it's not that dramatic from the point of view of ultrasound," says Nagelsmann. The coach explained that the exact length of the full-back's absence was "not yet determined". However, Davies is not to be expected for a “long time”.

Nagelsmann continues: “There are different triggers for heart muscle inflammation.

Often there is a certain viral load in the body - this can be caused by corona or a flu-like infection.

Of course, the probability that it comes from a corona infection is given these days.

But we don't know 100%.

Nagelsmann: "The fact is: He has it.

And that's modest to crappy"

But that has “also no relevance for the further procedure.

The fact is: he has it.

And that's modest to crappy to extremely crappy," says Nagelsmann.

Davies contracted the virus earlier this year, the infection was reported on January 5.

The club reported at the time that Davies was doing "well" and was in isolation at home.

Heart muscle inflammation: how dangerous is the disease?

Jürgen Scharhag, Medical Director of the Austrian Institute for Sports Medicine in Vienna, recently advised competitive athletes not to take Covid-19 lightly. "The damage caused by a disease caused by the corona virus can lead to a loss of maximum performance," said Scharhag. In order to avoid dangerous complications such as scarring of the lungs or inflammation of the heart muscle, sick athletes should recover thoroughly. Such consequences could also mean the end of a career for the competitive athlete.

The German Heart Foundation also writes on its website: "In many cases, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle, ed.) causes symptoms that can also be found in other much more common heart diseases such as heart failure or heart attacks: Three of four patients with myocarditis shortness of breath, every third chest pain and every fifth cardiac arrhythmia (cardiac palpitations)."

It goes on to say: “Once myocarditis has occurred, sports and heavy physical exertion should be avoided for six months.

Otherwise there is a risk of dangerous complications, including cardiac insufficiency (shortness of breath), cardiac arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death.”