Tickpedia
Removal · field guidance

Recognizing carditis (palpitations, fainting)

New palpitations, lightheadedness, or fainting in the weeks after a tick bite can signal Lyme carditis and is an emergency.

Steps

schema.org/HowTo
  1. 01
    Note new fluttering heartbeats, dizziness on standing, chest pain, or near-fainting episodes.
  2. 02
    Lyme carditis can cause AV block within days of disseminated infection.
  3. 03
    Go to the emergency department, not urgent care, for evaluation; an ECG is essential.
  4. 04
    Severe block may require hospitalization and a temporary pacemaker until inflammation resolves.
  5. 05
    Standard treatment is IV ceftriaxone, transitioning to oral once stable.
  6. 06
    Most patients recover normal conduction; permanent pacemakers are rarely needed.

Wild facts

loading…