Can a viral infection cause heart problems?

I just went through a nasty viral infection... It felt exactly like a heavy bout of the flu for about three days, but now I’m stuck with this lingering cough that just won't quit, especially whenever I sit down. To make matters worse, immediately following the virus, I started feeling these heart palpitations. Two days ago, I actually ended up in the Emergency Room because of sinus tachycardia. Is there any actual connection between these two things? I should mention that just two months ago, I had a complete cardiac workup—everything from a Holter monitor to an echocardiogram—and everything came back perfectly normal. Now, suddenly, it isn't.

It might be related, or maybe not. Are you feeling any chest pain, and how fast was your heart racing? Also, did you get your blood work back yet?

Sometimes I feel like I can’t even catch my breath. It all traces back to this one moment...