Lyme Carditis: A Serious Lyme Disease Complication

Lyme carditis is a rare but serious complication of Lyme disease that can slow the heart rate and cause fainting or collapse.

In a commentary, renowned vaccine researcher Stanley Plotkin described how Lyme disease suddenly affected his own family.

“One day, when traveling in California for a meeting, I received a call informing me that one of my sons, then aged 39, had been walking his dog when he collapsed into unconsciousness with a heart rate of 35/minute and had been taken to a local hospital,” writes Plotkin.¹ A Lyme infection was suspected.

His son was diagnosed immediately by a cardiologist familiar with Lyme disease.

“My son Alec received a pacemaker and, of course, an intravenous antibiotic,” writes Plotkin. “Fortunately, he has recovered, but his experience convinced me that a cavalier attitude towards Lyme infection is misplaced.”

Lyme Disease Exposure Can Occur Close to Home

An aspect of Alec’s case is instructive in that he was not exposed in the woods or in a place where ticks are an obvious hazard, but within sight of his own house.

This case highlights an important lesson: tick exposure often occurs close to home, including residential yards and neighborhood walking paths.

When Lyme disease is not recognized early, complications such as Lyme carditis, neurologic Lyme disease, or arthritis may develop.

Some people dismiss Lyme disease as a minor risk—until they develop it themselves.

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