What is a common consequence of untreated Lyme disease?

Untreated Lyme disease can lead to a variety of complications, one of the most notable being cardiac issues. This condition is often referred to as Lyme carditis, which occurs when the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, affect the heart. Symptoms may include irregular heart rhythms, known as heart block, and in more severe cases, can lead to significant cardiovascular complications.

As Lyme disease progresses, especially when left untreated, the bacteria can disrupt the normal electrical conduction system of the heart, resulting in these serious cardiac manifestations. Thus, the correlation between untreated Lyme disease and the development of cardiac issues highlights the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to prevent such complications.

Other consequences of untreated Lyme disease may include neurological complications and, in certain rarer instances, even effects on kidney function, but the direct and common association with cardiac problems underscores the significance of seeking timely medical intervention when Lyme disease is suspected.