What is pericarditis?
Pericarditis is a condition in which the pericardium becomes
inflamed. The pericardium is the thin membrane that covers
the heart. It is made up of tissue that is loose enough to
allow the heart to move and change in size. Inflammation
of the pericardium can cause chest pain.
How does it occur?
Inflammation of the membrane around the heart can be caused
by:
- infection, usually caused by a virus
- injury to the heart
- rheumatic fever
- myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- connective tissue disease, such as lupus
- cancer.
Sometimes a cause cannot be identified.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of pericarditis include:
- sharp chest pain that gets worse when you take a deep
breath, change the position of your body, or start
coughing
- pain when you swallow (if the back part of the heart
covering is inflamed)
- fever
- pain that decreases when you sit up or lean forward
- tiredness
- shortness of breath.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose pericarditis, the doctor will examine you and
take your medical history. The most important sign of
pericarditis is an unusual sound that your doctor hears with
a stethoscope. Your doctor may also order the following
tests:
- chest x-ray
- ECG
- cardiac ultrasound scan (use of high-frequency sound to
get a picture of the heart)
- blood tests
- tuberculin skin tests.
How is it treated?
The treatment is usually nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs). These medicines calm down the inflammation
of the pericardium.
If you have a fever:
- Stay in bed if your temperature is over 100°F
(37.8°C). After your temperature has fallen
below 100°F (37.8°C), become as active as
you comfortably can.
- Keep a record of your daily temperature.
How long will the effects last?
It may take a few days to several weeks to get better.
The space between the inner and outer layers of the
pericardium may fill with excess fluid, causing pressure on
the heart and limiting its ability to pump blood properly.
This condition, called cardiac tamponade, may require
removal of the fluid.
When the inflammation lasts a long time, the pericardium
may become scarred and rigid. The rigidity may interfere
with the way the heart fills with blood. This may result in
a drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, swelling in
the neck veins, and edema (swelling in the tissues of the
legs). Correcting this condition, called constrictive
pericarditis, may require surgery.
How can I prevent pericarditis from recurring?
Most of the causes are not easily prevented. You can be
aware of the symptoms and contact your doctor immediately if
they reappear.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
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