Can Lyme Carditis Cause Death? Three Fatal Cases Reported by CDC
Three deaths from Lyme carditis were documented by the CDC between November 2012 and July 2013. All three patients were diagnosed only at autopsy after sudden cardiac death. These cases show how Lyme carditis can become fatal when the diagnosis is missed — and why maintaining clinical suspicion in endemic areas can save lives.
For a broader overview of symptoms and treatment, see my guide to Lyme carditis.
Lyme carditis is an uncommon complication of Lyme disease, but it can cause life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances. When recognized early, Lyme carditis is highly treatable and deaths are usually preventable.
Inside Lyme Podcast: Three Fatal Lyme Carditis Cases
Hello, and welcome to another Inside Lyme Podcast. I am your host Dr. Daniel Cameron. In this episode, I discuss three deaths from Lyme carditis described in a CDC investigation.
The CDC Report
I first read about these cases in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The authors described three sudden deaths associated with Lyme carditis. In each case, the diagnosis was confirmed only at autopsy. In other words, Lyme disease was not recognized until after the patient died.
Although fatal Lyme carditis is rare, these cases brought national attention to how untreated Lyme carditis can lead to sudden cardiac death.
Patient 1: Massachusetts Resident
“In November 2012, a Massachusetts resident was found unresponsive in an automobile after it veered off the road,” wrote the authors. He had no cardiac activity when emergency responders arrived and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
We know very little about the patient. “Interviews with next-of-kin revealed that the patient had described a nonspecific illness with malaise and muscle and joint pain during the two weeks preceding death.”
The authors also noted that the patient lived alone with a dog that frequently had ticks.
Lyme carditis was identified during autopsy.
Clinical Lessons from Patient 1
This patient experienced two weeks of symptoms before sudden death. Malaise, muscle pain, and joint pain are common early Lyme disease symptoms. Combined with likely tick exposure through his dog, Lyme disease should have been considered.
The dog detail is important. Dogs frequently bring ticks into homes, increasing human exposure to tick-borne infections.
Patient 2: New York Resident
“In July 2013, a New York resident experienced chest pain and collapsed at home,” wrote the authors. The patient died after cardiopulmonary resuscitation failed.
The patient had a history of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW), a condition involving abnormal electrical pathways in the heart.
No tick bite or rash was reported.
The diagnosis of Lyme carditis was again made only at autopsy.
Clinical Lessons from Patient 2
The presence of WPW likely complicated the diagnostic picture. Cardiac symptoms may have been attributed to the known cardiac condition rather than a new infection such as Lyme carditis.
This illustrates how preexisting cardiac disease can obscure the diagnosis of Lyme carditis.
Importantly, most patients with Lyme carditis do not recall a tick bite or rash. Waiting for those classic markers before considering Lyme disease can delay diagnosis.
Patient 3: Connecticut Resident
“In July 2013, a Connecticut resident collapsed while visiting New Hampshire and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.”
The patient had complained of episodic shortness of breath and anxiety during the 7–10 days before death. He was prescribed clonazepam the day before his death. No EKG was performed.
Lyme carditis was diagnosed at autopsy.
Clinical Lessons from Patient 3
This case highlights the danger of misattributing cardiac symptoms to anxiety. Episodic shortness of breath should prompt evaluation for cardiac causes.
An EKG might have revealed conduction abnormalities typical of Lyme carditis. When recognized early, Lyme carditis is highly treatable.
Common Patterns in These Fatal Cases
- All deaths occurred in endemic areas: Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut
- Each patient had warning symptoms before death
- None were diagnosed before death
- Classic Lyme markers were absent: no documented tick bites or rashes
- Symptoms were misinterpreted or overlooked
These cases suggest that fatal outcomes are often linked to delayed recognition rather than unusually aggressive infection.
Clinical Perspective
Although deaths from Lyme carditis are rare, these cases demonstrate the consequences of missed diagnosis.
In endemic regions, unexplained cardiac symptoms — particularly in younger adults — should prompt consideration of Lyme disease.
Patients with cardiac symptoms may also have other Lyme disease symptoms, which can help raise clinical suspicion.
Prompt Lyme disease testing and cardiac evaluation can identify conduction abnormalities that signal Lyme carditis. Early treatment typically leads to full recovery.
These cases also illustrate how Lyme disease misdiagnosis can delay recognition of cardiac complications.
In my clinical experience, Lyme carditis is frequently missed because patients do not recall a tick bite or rash. In endemic areas, unexplained cardiac symptoms — including fainting, palpitations, chest pain, or shortness of breath — should prompt evaluation for Lyme disease.
Can Lyme Carditis Cause Sudden Death?
Yes, although it is rare. Lyme carditis can disrupt the heart’s electrical conduction system, leading to heart block or dangerous rhythm disturbances. When recognized early, the condition is highly treatable and deaths are usually preventable.
My son is 21 with episodes of sudden tachycardia and SVT on EKG. History of POTS yet high BP upon exam, 159/110. Has Bartonella, Babesia, Chronic EBV,. Please advise. Beta blocker as needed helps but only Lyme people get it. Is there a Lyme literate cardiologist in existence?
I do not know of any cardiologist that would be Lyme literature. I rely on cardiologist in my area to look at my patients and I take care of their Lyme disease. There are POTS doctors.
I have been having severe chest pains for about 6 mos. I had a CT scan that showed an ascending aortic aneurysm at 4.2. (I believe caused by Lyme)
Now I am having extreme palpitations and on a 72 hour monitor it shows an extra 300 beats per hour PAC’s. I can’t sleep at night because the palps are so strong that I constantly feel them. The chest pain goes from just below collar bone to right above breast. I had an elevated CRP-Cardiac at 7.19. The range is 0-3. I am so concerned about Lyme causing this and I can’t tolerate antibiotics. Any suggestions?
There are so many causes for your cardiac problems. I have patients who never find a cause. I lean on my cardiac colleagues to help me manage cardiac issues. The cardiologist may find another cause or at least manage the cardiac problems you described.