Description

Pericarditis is swelling and irritation of the thin saclike tissue that surrounds the heart. This tissue is called the pericardium. Pericarditis often causes acute pain in the chest. The chest pain occurs when the irritated layers of the pericardium rub against each other.

Pericarditis is often mild. You can go away without treatment. Treatment for more serious symptoms may include medicines and, in very rare cases, surgery. When health professionals to find, and treatment of pericarditis, early can help reduce the risk of long-term complications of pericarditis.

Symptoms

The chest pain is the most common symptom of pericarditis. Usually feels sharp or stabbing. But some people have dull, aching pain or pressure-like pain in the chest.

More often, pericarditis pain is felt behind the breastbone or in the left side of the chest. The pain may:

  • Spread to the left shoulder and the neck, or on both shoulders.
  • Get worse when coughing, lying down, or take a deep breath.
  • Get better by sitting or leaning forward.

Other symptoms of pericarditis may include:

  • For cough.
  • Fatigue or a general feeling of weakness or of being sick.
  • Swelling of the legs or feet.
  • Low-grade fever.
  • Strong palpitations or pounding heartbeats, also called palpitations of the heart.
  • Difficulty breathing when lying down.
  • Swelling of the belly, also called the abdomen.

The specific symptoms depend on the type of pericarditis. Pericarditis are grouped into different categories, depending on the pattern of symptoms and duration of symptoms.

  • Acute pericarditis begins suddenly, but it does not last more than four weeks. Future episodes may occur. It can be difficult to tell the difference between pericarditis and acute pain due to a heart attack.
  • Pericarditis is recurrent occurs around 4 to 6 weeks after an episode of pericarditis acute. The symptoms do Not occur in the middle.
  • Incessant pericarditis lasts for about 4 to 6 weeks, but less than three months. The symptoms continue for all this time.
  • Constrictive pericarditis chronic usually develops slowly and lasts for more than three months.

When to see a doctor

Get immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of pain in the chest.

Many of the symptoms of pericarditis are like those of other heart and lung. It is important to be checked by a health care professional if you have any type of pain in the chest.

Causes

The cause of pericarditis is often difficult to determine. A cause can not be found. When this happens, it is called pericarditis idiopathic.

Pericarditis causes may include:

  • Response of the immune system after damage to the heart due to a heart attack or heart surgery. Other names for this include the Dressler syndrome, post-myocardial infarction syndrome and post-cardiac injury syndrome.
  • Infections, such as those caused by viruses.
  • Injury to the heart or on the chest.
  • Lupus.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Long-term health conditions, including kidney failure and cancer.
  • Some medications, such as seizure of treatment of phenytoin (Dilantin), and medicine called procainamide, to treat irregular heart beats.

Complications

When pericarditis is found and treated early, the risk of complications is often less. The complications of pericarditis may include:

  • The accumulation of fluid around the heart, also called a pericardial effusion. The accumulation of fluid can lead to more complications in the heart.
  • Thickening and scarring of the lining of the heart, also called constrictive pericarditis. Some people with long-term pericarditis develop permanent thickening and scarring of the pericardium. The changes prevent the heart from filling and emptying properly. This complication often leads to the swelling of the legs and the abdomen, and shortness of breath.
  • The pressure on the heart due to the accumulation of fluid, also called cardiac tamponade. This life-threatening condition that prevents the heart from filling properly. Less blood leaves the heart, causing a large drop in blood pressure. Cardiac tamponade requires emergency treatment.

Prevention

There is No specific way to prevent pericarditis. But you can take these measures to prevent infections, which can help reduce the risk of inflammation of the heart:

  • Stay away from people who have a viral infection or flu-like illness until recovered. If you are sick with symptoms of a viral infection, try not to expose others. For example, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
  • Follow good hygiene. Washing hands regularly can help prevent the spread of the disease. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Get the recommended vaccines. Stay up to date on the recommended vaccines, including those that protect against COVID-19, measles and the flu. These are examples of viral diseases that can cause inflammation of the heart muscle, called myocarditis. Myocarditis and pericarditis can occur together due to a viral infection. Rarely, the COVID-19 vaccine can cause pericarditis and myocarditis, especially in males between the ages of 12 to 17 years. Talk with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of vaccines.

Diagnosis

To diagnose pericarditis, a healthcare professional will examine you and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history.

The care provider listens to your heart through a device called a stethoscope. Pericarditis makes a specific sound, called a pericardial friction rub. The noise occurs when the two layers of the sac surrounding the heart, called the pericardium rub against each other.

Tests

Tests to diagnose pericarditis or rule out conditions that may cause similar symptoms may include:

  • Blood tests. Blood tests are usually done to check if there are signs of a heart attack, inflammation, and infection.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG). An electrocardiogram is a quick and painless test that records the electrical signals in the heart. It can show how the heart is beating. Sticky patches called electrodes with cables to attach to the chest and sometimes the arms or legs. The cables connect to a monitor, which prints or displays the results.
  • X-ray of the chest. A chest x-ray can show changes in the size and shape of the heart. You can determine if the heart is enlarged.
  • The echocardiogram. Sound waves create images of the heart's movement. An echocardiogram shows as the heart pumps blood. You can also see any accumulation of fluid in the tissue that surrounds the heart. The test can indicate if the sac that surrounds the heart affects the manner in which the heart fills with blood, or the blood is pumped.
  • Cardiac computed tomography (CT scan). Cardiac CT scans use X-rays to create images of the heart and the chest. The test can be used to find the heart, thickening, which may be a sign of constrictive pericarditis.
  • Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the heart. A cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may show thickening, swelling, or other changes in the thin tissue that surrounds the heart.

Treatment

Treatment of pericarditis depends on the cause of the symptoms and their severity. Mild pericarditis may improve without treatment.

Drugs

Medications are often used to treat the symptoms of pericarditis. Examples include:

  • Pain relievers. Pericarditis pain can often be treated with pain medications, which are sold without a prescription. These include aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others). Talk with your healthcare professional before taking any medication without a prescription. Take any medication as directed. Sometimes, prescription-strength pain relievers used to relieve the pain of pericarditis.
  • Colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare, other). This medication reduces the inflammation in the body. It is used to treat sudden pericarditis, or if the symptoms tend to recur. You should not take colchicine if you have liver or kidney disease. Colchicine may also affect other medicines. Your health care professional to check your health history before the prescription colchicine.
  • Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are very strong medicines that fight inflammation. One of corticosteroids such as prednisone may be given if the pericarditis symptoms do not improve with other medications. Corticosteroids can also be prescribed if the symptoms return.
  • The immunosuppressants. These drugs activate the immune system to reduce the inflammation that causes. They may be used when a disease such as rheumatoid arthritis cause of pericarditis.
  • Immunomodulators. These medications change of the activity of the immune system to help control inflammation. A type of immunomodulator that can be used for the treatment of pericarditis is called interleukin-1 blocker.

If the pericarditis is caused by a bacterial infection, treatment may include antibiotics. The excess fluid in the space between the layers of the pericardium may also be drained.

Surgeries or other procedures

If the pericarditis causes the accumulation of fluid around the heart, a surgery or another procedure may be needed to drain the fluid.

Surgeries or other procedures for the treatment of pericarditis include:

  • Pericardiocentesis. In this procedure, a sterile needle or a small tube called a catheter is used to remove and drain the excess fluid in the pericardium.
  • The removal of the pericardium, also called a pericardiectomy. All or part of the pericardium may need to be removed. This is done if the sac that surrounds the heart remains rigid due to constrictive pericarditis.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Lifestyle and home remedies for the mild pericarditis include rest and painkillers, which are sold without a prescription. If your healthcare professional recommends the pain medications, take them as directed.

While recovering, it does not take part in strenuous physical activity and competitive sports. Such activity can trigger the symptoms of pericarditis. Ask your healthcare professional how long you need to rest.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing a primary care professional or a physician in the emergency department. You may be referred to a doctor trained in heart disease. This kind of professional attention is called to a cardiologist.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make your appointment, ask if you need to do anything in advance, such as avoiding foods or beverages.

Write down the following information and bring it with you to your appointment:

  • Write down any symptoms you're having and how long you have had. Also keep in mind if you have had similar symptoms that have occurred in the past.
  • Make a list of important medical information. Include other recent health concerns that you have had.
  • Write down the names of the medicines that you take . Include the dose.
  • Ask someone to go with you to the appointment, if possible. Someone who goes with you can help you remember what the health care professional says.
  • Write down the questions that you want to be sure to ask your health care team.

Of pericarditis, some basic questions to ask your health care professional include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests do I need? I will have to stay in the hospital for the tests?
  • What treatment approach do you recommend?
  • How soon after the start of treatment can I expect my symptoms to improve?
  • What are the possible side effects of the treatments on the prescription?
  • Am I at risk of long-term complications of this condition?
  • How often will I need follow-up appointments for this condition?
  • I need to continue any activity or dietary restrictions?
  • There are special rules for the management of this condition, along with my other health conditions?

Feel free to ask other questions that occur to you during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care team usually asks you to answer some questions. Be prepared to answer them you can save your time to go through all the information that I want to talk in-depth. Your health care team may ask:

  • Can you describe your symptoms? Where is the pain? How severe is the pain?
  • When did the symptoms begin?
  • Do your symptoms come on slowly or suddenly?
  • Has had similar symptoms in the past?
  • Do you have any shortness of breath?
  • Not to change your position affect your pain?
  • Have you recently had a cold or the flu? What about the fever?
  • You've lost weight recently without trying?
  • Do you have a father, mother, brother, sister or child with a history of heart disease?
  • Do you or do you smoke? How much?
Symptoms and treatment of Pericarditis