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Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, which is the sac that surrounds the heart (figure 1). The pericardium normally functions to protect the heart and reduce friction between the heart and surrounding organs. Pericarditis may be accompanied by pericardial effusion, which is fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac.
What is pericarditis? Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium. Pericarditis is usually acute – it develops suddenly and may last up to several months. If you could see and touch it, the membrane around the heart would look red and swollen, like the skin around a cut that becomes inflamed. Sometimes excess fluid develops in the space
Pericarditis is s condition where the sac surrounding the heart becomes inflamed leading to chest discomfort. This is usually caused by viral illnesses, but can be caused by any condition which causes inflammation within the body. SYMPTOMS. Patients will usually complain of chest discomfort and possibly even shortness of breath.
Pericarditis (say pear-eh-card-eye-tis) is a condition where the heart sac becomes swollen or inflamed. This condition usually comes on suddenly and can last up to several months. Pericardial effusion (say ee-few-shun) is the build-up of excess fluid in the space around the heart.
If you have trouble sleeping because of the discomfort, take pain relief before bed. Sleeping upright can be more comfortable. Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac that surrounds the heart. Find out what causes pericarditis and learn about its diagnosis and treatment.
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, which is the sac which surrounds and helps to protect the heart. Pericarditis typically causes chest pain as its main symptom. Most cases of pericarditis are due to a viral infection and usually settle within a few weeks.
If the pericardium becomes inflamed it is called pericarditis. The main symptom of this inflammation is chest pain. Pericarditis can often be treated fairly easily. But in some people it is more serious. For example, if fluid begins to fill the pericardium, or if the swelling affects the blood flow to and from the heart, it can be life threatening.
Pericarditis is an important diagnosis to consider in a patient presenting with chest pain. It is diagnosed in 5% of patients presenting to hospital emergency departments with chest pain in the absence of a myocardial infarction.
Patients with acute pericarditis commonly present with acute, sharp, retrosternal chest pain that is relieved by sitting or leaning forward. A pericardial friction rub is found in up to 85% of...
Most patients are treated with with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, and colchicine to reduce pain and inflammation. When used with NSAIDs, colchicine reduces symptoms and decreases the chance of recurrent pericarditis.