What is myocarditis characterized by?

Myocarditis is specifically characterized by inflammation of the heart muscle, which is crucial for the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. This inflammation can result from various causes, including viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and exposure to certain toxins or drugs.

When the heart muscle becomes inflamed, it can lead to various symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and arrhythmias. The inflammation disrupts the normal function of the heart, potentially leading to complications like heart failure or dilated cardiomyopathy if not properly managed.

The other options focus on different cardiac conditions: infection of the pericardium refers to pericarditis, blockage of coronary arteries pertains to coronary artery disease, and hypertrophy of the heart walls often relates to conditions like hypertension or valvular heart disease. Each of these involves distinct pathophysiological processes, making the correct identification of myocarditis as inflammation of the heart muscle significant for understanding its diagnosis and management.