Lyme Carditis Blood Test

What is Lyme Carditis?

Lyme carditis is a rare but serious heart complication that occurs when Lyme disease spreads to the heart tissue. It is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria transmitted through infected tick bites, leading to inflammation of the heart that can cause heart block, irregular heartbeats, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The Lyme Disease Antibody with Reflex to Antibodies IGG & IGM Blot is the most important test for diagnosis because it detects antibodies to the Lyme bacteria and confirms the underlying infection.

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What causes Lyme carditis?

Lyme carditis is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria that enter your bloodstream through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (also called a deer tick). After the bacteria spreads through your body, it can reach your heart tissue and cause inflammation that disrupts the electrical signals controlling your heartbeat. This typically happens during the early disseminated stage of Lyme disease, usually within weeks to months after the initial tick bite, and affects about 1% of people with untreated Lyme disease.

What is the best test for Lyme carditis?

The Lyme Disease Antibody with Reflex to Antibodies IGG & IGM Blot is the most important test for Lyme carditis because it detects antibodies your body produces in response to Borrelia burgdorferi infection. This two-tier testing approach first screens for Lyme antibodies, then automatically performs more specific IGG and IGM antibody testing if the initial screen is positive, providing confirmation of active or recent Lyme disease infection. Since Lyme carditis is caused by the underlying Lyme infection, identifying these antibodies is essential for proper diagnosis and guides treatment with antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria affecting your heart tissue.

When should I get tested for Lyme carditis?

You should get tested if you develop heart symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, fainting, or dizziness, especially if you remember a tick bite or noticed a bullseye rash in the weeks or months before your symptoms started. Testing is also important if you live in or recently visited areas where Lyme disease is common (northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central United States) and develop unexplained heart block or irregular heartbeats. Early detection through blood testing can prevent serious cardiac complications and guide timely antibiotic treatment.

What are the symptoms of Lyme carditis?
Lyme carditis symptoms include heart palpitations, irregular or slow heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and fainting episodes. You might experience fatigue, difficulty breathing during physical activity, and a sensation that your heart is racing or skipping beats. Some people also notice swelling in their legs or ankles. These cardiac symptoms typically appear along with other signs of Lyme disease like fever, body aches, joint pain, or you may recall having a bullseye rash weeks earlier.
Who is at risk for Lyme carditis?
You are at higher risk if you spend time outdoors in wooded or grassy areas where blacklegged ticks are common, particularly in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central United States. People who hike, camp, garden, or work outdoors have increased exposure to infected ticks. Men develop Lyme carditis more frequently than women, and it typically affects people between ages 20-60. Having untreated Lyme disease significantly increases your risk, which is why early detection and treatment of tick bites is so important.
What happens if Lyme carditis is left untreated?
Untreated Lyme carditis can lead to dangerous complete heart block where electrical signals cannot pass through your heart properly, potentially requiring temporary pacemaker placement. You may experience sudden cardiac arrest, severe heart rhythm abnormalities, or develop permanent heart damage including cardiomyopathy. The infection can also spread to other organs causing neurological complications, chronic joint inflammation, and persistent fatigue. With prompt antibiotic treatment, most people recover completely within weeks, but delays in treatment increase the risk of long-term cardiac problems and other serious complications.
Can Lyme carditis be diagnosed with a blood test?
Yes, blood tests are essential for diagnosing Lyme carditis by detecting antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes the condition. The Lyme Disease Antibody test screens for these antibodies and automatically reflexes to more specific IGG and IGM testing if positive, confirming the Lyme infection affecting your heart. While doctors also use electrocardiograms (ECG) and heart monitoring to evaluate cardiac symptoms, blood testing identifies the specific bacterial cause and distinguishes Lyme carditis from other heart conditions with similar symptoms.
How is Lyme carditis treated?
Lyme carditis is treated with antibiotics that kill the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria causing the heart inflammation. Mild cases are typically treated with oral antibiotics like doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime for 14-21 days. More severe cases with significant heart block may require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics like ceftriaxone and temporary heart monitoring. Some people need a temporary pacemaker if heart block is severe, though this usually resolves after antibiotic treatment eliminates the infection. Most people recover fully with appropriate antibiotic therapy.
How can I prevent Lyme carditis?
Prevent Lyme carditis by avoiding tick bites when spending time outdoors in wooded or grassy areas. Wear long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks, and use EPA-approved insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin and clothing. After outdoor activities, thoroughly check your entire body for ticks and shower within two hours to wash off any unattached ticks. If you find an attached tick, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers by grasping close to the skin and pulling straight up. Seek medical attention if you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms after a tick bite, as early antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease prevents progression to Lyme carditis.
What can I do at home for Lyme carditis?
While Lyme carditis requires antibiotic treatment from a doctor, you can support your recovery at home by getting plenty of rest and avoiding strenuous physical activity until your heart rhythm returns to normal. Stay well-hydrated, eat a nutritious diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, and monitor your symptoms carefully, seeking immediate medical attention if you experience worsening chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or fainting. Take all prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed, even if you start feeling better. Keep follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider to ensure the infection is clearing and your heart function is improving.
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Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.

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As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.

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If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.
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Lyme Disease Antibody with Reflex to Antibodies IGG & IGM Blot
What's included
Fast & easy, results by email & SMS
No need to visit a doctor
Private & confidential
No insurance needed
Results explained
No extra fees paid at the lab

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