Can Lyme Disease Cause Cardiac Arrest? A 12-Year-Old Case
Cardiac complications from Lyme disease are rare
Children may present with life-threatening symptoms
Early recognition may improve outcomes
Can Lyme disease cause cardiac arrest? Severe cardiac complications from Lyme disease are uncommon, but rare cases involving Lyme carditis can become life-threatening.
This case describes a previously healthy 12-year-old boy who developed sudden cardiac arrest after several weeks at an outdoor camp. The case highlights how Lyme disease may occasionally present with serious cardiac complications.
The patient had recently participated in outdoor activities for 2 to 3 weeks before suddenly gasping for air while riding in a car, followed by cyanosis and cardiac arrest.
Additional information regarding cardiac complications can be found at Lyme Carditis.
Cardiac Arrest in a 12-Year-Old Boy
The boy required cardiopulmonary resuscitation for pulseless arrest and ventricular fibrillation.
According to Cunningham and colleagues, spontaneous circulation returned after 8 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation that included defibrillation, intubation, epinephrine, and lidocaine.
He required intensive care management due to severe hypoxemia, difficult ventilation, and persistent arrhythmias including fascicular tachycardia.
How Lyme Disease Affected the Heart
Serologic testing was strongly positive for Lyme disease, including positive ELISA testing and positive IgM and IgG Western blot findings.
Intravenous ceftriaxone treatment continued for 21 days and was associated with normalization of cardiac function.
Although Lyme carditis more commonly causes conduction abnormalities such as heart block, myocarditis and severe arrhythmias have also been reported.
Because symptoms may initially appear nonspecific, delayed recognition may contribute to delayed Lyme disease diagnosis.
Neurologic Injury After Cardiac Arrest
Although cardiac function recovered, the patient experienced significant neurologic complications following the arrest.
Brain imaging demonstrated global cerebral edema and moderate hypoxic injury involving the basal ganglia, hippocampi, and primary motor and visual cortices.
The authors reported persistent altered mental status, agitation, and dysautonomia requiring prolonged rehabilitation.
Additional neurologic complications are discussed at Neurologic Lyme Disease.
Can Lyme Disease Cause Severe Heart Problems?
Serious cardiac complications remain uncommon, but Lyme carditis may occasionally lead to myocarditis, rhythm disturbances, heart block, or cardiac arrest.
Children with unexplained fainting, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or exercise intolerance—particularly after outdoor exposure—may warrant further evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lyme disease cause cardiac arrest?
Rarely. Lyme carditis may lead to arrhythmias, myocarditis, conduction abnormalities, and in uncommon cases cardiac arrest.
Can a child have Lyme carditis?
Yes. Although uncommon, children may develop Lyme carditis that affects heart rhythm and cardiac function.
What is Lyme carditis?
Lyme carditis occurs when Lyme disease affects the heart and may cause rhythm abnormalities, heart block, myocarditis, or severe arrhythmias.
Can Lyme disease cause neurologic problems after cardiac arrest?
Neurologic injury after cardiac arrest may result from reduced oxygen delivery during the event itself rather than direct infection alone.
Do most patients recover from Lyme carditis?
Most patients recover well with recognition and treatment, although severe complications can occasionally occur.
Clinical Takeaway
Cardiac arrest due to Lyme disease remains rare, but this case illustrates how Lyme carditis may occasionally present with life-threatening complications.
Early recognition of Lyme carditis and prompt treatment may reduce the risk of severe cardiac complications.
Related Articles
These related articles explore pediatric Lyme disease, diagnostic delays, symptom recognition, and severe manifestations of Lyme disease.
Pediatric Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease Misdiagnosis
Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
Lyme Disease Symptoms Guide
Sudden Cardiac Death From Lyme Disease
References
- Cunningham MEA, Doroshow R, Olivieri L, Moak JP. Junctional ectopic tachycardia secondary to myocarditis associated with sudden cardiac arrest. HeartRhythm Case Rep. 2017;3(2):124-128.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
I also in 2001, started to spiral downhill to cardiac failure. It is good to see this child’s Lyme issues recognized. We have come a fair distance with Lyme related issues in 17 years.
Thanks for sharing with the public,
Our health care system is failing us “lymies”. Tests are outdated, doctors refuse to treat this disease in fear of retaliation from the CDC and Insurance. More than 300’000 per year are affected(double breast cancer patients) yet no hope in sight.
I am a healthy 48 year old woman that on August after struggling for a week from shortness of breath, heart palpitation and overall fatigue I was rushed to the hospital with complete heart block. Within this first 12 hours my heart rate plummeted to below 20 and was rushed into surgery where I was given a temporary pace maker. Long story short I was put on intravenous antibiotic for the suspected Lyme disease. Although after 9 days and no changes, the dr. was not sure if in fact it was Lyme. Day 10 in CCU and the medication started to work. Subsequently my heart corrected itself after approximately 1+ month, and the I am pace maker free. I was luck enough to catch it before it caused more damage. Hope the 12 year old continues to recover form his BI. I too know what that’s like as my son was hit my a cars in 2013 and suffered a TBI.
Horrible! HPV vaccine has been shown to damage the heart… He’s at that age. Add in Lyme etc infection and good luck staying alive!
My son is 18, he was miss diagnosed for 10 years with Lyme. I was told he had a anxiety disorder. His,symptoms have been can’t sleep, not been able to do school, ( focus) terrible anxiety , tacacardia for years!! This poor kid sat in school with all these symptons! Now he feels like he can’t breath! Our kids are suffering and it’s heart wrenching! Had him set up for a cardio stress,test, had to cancel due to him up all nigh feeling like he could not breath. Just bought a far infared sauna, and am doing herbal therapy trying to get his gut healthy. Was put on oral antibiotics when diagnosed and it was devastating to his gut. This takes,time. Prayers to all who are dealing with this darn stuff.
Thanks for sharing your son’s story. I am happy to hear you have included a cardiologist. “Air hunger” is an ill defined symptoms described by some patients with the tick borne pathogen called Babesia. You should include Babesia into what looks like a complete evaluation. Babesia is a tick borne pathogen that requires a different treatment.