What is pericarditis?
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds the heart. It is usually a painful but treatable condition and often resolves within weeks, though it can occasionally recur.
What causes it?
- Viral infections — the most common cause
- In the weeks after a heart attack or heart surgery
- Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions
- Occasionally tuberculosis, particularly where TB is common
- Often no cause is identified
Symptoms
- Sharp central or left-sided chest pain, typically worse when lying flat or taking a deep breath and better when sitting up and leaning forward
- Fever
- Palpitations or breathlessness in some people
When to seek care
Any new, unexplained chest pain needs prompt medical assessment — call your local emergency services for severe pain, breathlessness, fainting or pain that feels like pressure or tightness, as these can also be signs of a heart attack.
How is it diagnosed?
The doctor will listen for a characteristic rubbing sound, and usually arrange an ECG, blood tests and an echocardiogram. The echocardiogram also checks whether fluid has collected around the heart, which sometimes needs draining.
Treatment
Treatment usually involves anti-inflammatory medicines, rest, and treating the underlying cause. Most people recover completely. A cardiologist will guide care if pericarditis recurs or fluid accumulates.
Related: myocarditis · coronary artery disease