Article Source: Heart & Stroke / 2019
Dr. Slava Epelman is deciphering immune reactions that can lead to heart failure
When you catch a virus like a cold or stomach bug, you usually recover quickly. But sometimes viral infections can have devastating consequences.
Ashley and Frank Greco of London, Ont., were shattered when their newborn son, Emmett, died suddenly from myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. He was only eight days old. While it’s not clear how Emmett developed myocarditis, it is often triggered by a viral infection.
Since that tragedy, the couple have organized a walk to raise awareness of myocarditis and to raise funds for research towards a cure.
Dr. Slava Epelman is a Heart & Stroke researcher working to understand how and why some viral infections lead to heart damage, so stories like Emmett’s could be prevented.
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