Heart Virus

[LinStudd]

I suffered a heart attack 9 years ago and have a stent inserted in my heart.  A work colleague was yesterday diagnosed as having a heart virus, and has been told he can carrying on working on light duties.  In view of my history, could this virus affect me.  

[neurotic]

4 Years ago i had an episode of pericarditis causing tamponade.  I was told it was from a virus. I had to have open pericardiotomy.  the pericardium was quite thick, surgeon had to cut out  a 2cm of the pericardium.
My question today is since it was never discovered what kind of virus I have concern with swine flu.  

[Cleveland Clinic]

It is not know why some people are affected, from a cardiac perspective, with certain viruses. These are frequently innocuous to others but for some reason ( most liely immunological) there is cross reactivity with one of the heart's proteins which leads to auto destruction of the heart and a cardiomyopathy. Given your history of having a stent, you have heart disease certainly, but it is different and does not place you at higher risk for contracting this disorder.