Many people recognize Lyme disease by its hallmark “bull’s-eye” rash, fever, fatigue and aching joints after a tick bite. What is less widely known is that, if left untreated, the infection can spread beyond the skin and joints to affect the nervous system and even the heart. This cardiac complication, known as Lyme carditis, is uncommon but potentially serious, making awareness just as important as recognizing the early signs of Lyme disease itself.
Recently. Mark Zeiler of Waynesburg found out just how severe this condition can be. On April 21, he found and removed a tick on his leg. Doctors prescribed Doxycycline for precautionary treatment. A month later, he had hip replacement surgery, and all appeared well. However, a couple of weeks later he developed a cough and sought treatment. It was discovered at that time his heart rate was only 40 BPM.
He spent five days in Washington Hospital being treated for Lyme Carditis, before he was transferred to Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh where he was taken to the Intensive Care Unit. His heart rate bottomed out at a dangerous 35 BPM. He spent another five days there before being sent home with IV antibiotics and a temporary pacemaker.
Lyme carditis occurs when bacteria invade the tissues of the heart, disrupting the electrical signals that regulate the heartbeat. The most common result is a condition called atrioventricular (AV) block, in which the heart beats more slowly or irregularly than normal.
Symptoms may include dizziness, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and extreme fatigue. While Lyme carditis develops in only about one percent of reported Lyme disease cases, it can become life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
However, most patients do recover completely once the infection is eliminated.
The condition is particularly relevant in Pennsylvania, which consistently ranks among the nation’s leaders in reported Lyme disease cases. Black-legged ticks carrying the Lyme bacterium are now found in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Health officials and researchers have also reported that the 2026 tick season has been especially active across western Pennsylvania.
As summer hiking, camping and yard work continue, physicians stress that preventing tick bites, checking for ticks after spending time outdoors, and seeking medical attention for suspicious rashes or unexplained heart-related symptoms can help stop Lyme disease before it progresses to Lyme carditis.
