Connect with others who understand.

  • Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  • Real advice from people who’ve been there
  • People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
Powered By
Real members of MGteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A MGteam Member asked a question 💭
Sydney, AU
October 13, 2025
 · 
Be the first to react
7 Myasthenia Gravis Symptoms: Eye and Heart Problems, Weakness, and More Read Article...
A MGteam Member

myasthenia gravis can affect breathing, ranging from mild shortness of breath to a severe, life-threatening condition called a myasthenic crisis. It causes weakness in the muscles that control breathing, including the diaphragm and chest muscles, making it difficult to inhale and exhale properly. This can lead to respiratory impairment and, in severe cases, respiratory failure. Muscle weakness: The core problem is weakness in the voluntary muscles, including the respiratory muscles. As the disease progresses, these muscles can become too weak to support proper breathing.
Shortness of breath: A common symptom is shortness of breath, which can be more noticeable with activity or fatigue.
Myasthenic crisis: This is a medical emergency caused by extreme muscle weakness, which can include the diaphragm and chest muscles. A myasthenic crisis is characterized by severe breathing difficulties that may require a ventilator to help the person breathe.
What to do
Call emergency services: If you experience severe breathing or swallowing difficulties, call 999 immediately. This could indicate a myasthenic crisis that requires urgent hospital treatment.
Seek immediate medical care: A myasthenic crisis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment in a hospital. Treatment may include oxygen, a ventilator, or other therapies to restore muscle strength.

October 14, 2025
MGteam

Heart problems in myasthenia gravis are relatively rare and most commonly occur in patients who have a thymoma (tumor of the thymus gland). The autoimmune process can target cardiac muscles, particularly in these cases.

Key heart-related symptoms include
• Difficulty with heart pumping adequate blood
• Irregular heart Show Full Answer

Heart problems in myasthenia gravis are relatively rare and most commonly occur in patients who have a thymoma (tumor of the thymus gland). The autoimmune process can target cardiac muscles, particularly in these cases.

Key heart-related symptoms include:
• Difficulty with heart pumping adequate blood
• Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
• Inflammation of the heart muscle The risk of heart complications appears to be linked to autoantibodies that attack both skeletal and cardiac muscles, causing inflammation that can lead to heart disease. This is particularly true for the estimated 10-15% of MG patients who develop thymomas.

It's important to work closely with your healthcare team to monitor any cardiac symptoms, as early detection and management can help prevent more serious complications.

October 13, 2025
A MGteam Member

MG is particularly problematic because while a symptom might be connected with MG it might also relate to independent problems or even to both. So for concerning symptoms it's important to get worked up by specialists for the organ involved: cardiologist for heart symptoms, pulmonologist for breathing problems, nephrologist for kidney problems, etc. This means spending a lot of time in doctors' offices, which many don't like. But it's always our individual choice. If you want to be sure, see the doctor. If you worry a lot, see the doctor. Otherwise, it's your call.

October 15, 2025

Related Questions

View All
A MGteam Member asked a question 💭
Sydney, AU

Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data and Privacy policies.
Already a member? Log In