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.
How does it occur?
Inflammation of the membrane around the heart can be caused by:
- infection, usually by a virus
- injury to the heart
- rheumatic fever
- heart attack
- connective tissue disease, such as lupus
- cancer.
Sometimes a cause cannot be found.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of pericarditis include:
- sharp chest pain that gets worse when you take a deep breath,
change your position, or start coughing
- pain when you swallow (if the back part of the heart covering
is inflamed)
- fever
- pain that lessens when you sit up or lean forward
- tiredness
- shortness of breath.
How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will examine you, listen to your heart
with a stethoscope, and ask about your medical history. Your
provider may also order the following tests:
- chest X-ray
- ECG (electrocardiogram) to measure and record the electrical
activity of your heart
- echocardiogram, which is a cardiac ultrasound scan that uses
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. In some cases your healthcare provider may recommend
colchicine or prednisone if the NSAIDS do not work well.
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, which sometimes causes pressure on the
heart and affects its ability to pump blood properly (a problem
called cardiac tamponade). The fluid may be removed to help take
pressure off the heart or to help diagnose the cause of the excess
fluid.
If the inflammation lasts a long time, the pericardium may become
scarred and stiff. The stiffness may interfere with the way the
heart fills with blood. This may cause a drop in blood pressure,
trouble breathing, swelling in the neck veins, and edema (swelling
in the tissues of the legs). This condition is called constrictive
pericarditis. It may require surgery.
How can I prevent pericarditis from recurring?
Most of the causes of pericarditis are not easily prevented.
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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