Updated February 23, 2015.

Definition:

One of three types of inflammation of the heart.

The three types of carditis include:

endocarditis -- inflammation of the heart’s inner tissue layer (endocardium)

myocarditis -- inflammation of the heart muscle

pericarditis -- inflammation of the sac that holds the heart (pericardium)

Also Known As: pericarditis, mycarditis, endocarditis