Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium that can lead to fluid or blood collecting in the pericardial space, preventing the heart from filling and pumping normally. It is more common in men aged 20–50. Without timely diagnosis and proper treatment, serious complications can occur and may be life-threatening.
Pericarditis… what causes it and how dangerous is it? (Pericarditis)
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium that can lead to fluid or blood collecting in the pericardial space, preventing the heart from filling and pumping normally. It is more common in men aged 20–50. Without timely diagnosis and proper treatment, serious complications can occur and may be life-threatening.
What causes pericarditis?
Pericarditis often occurs without a clearly identified cause, but risk factors and possible causes include:
- Infections—most commonly viruses; other causes include bacteria, tuberculosis, parasites, and fungi
- After cardiac procedures such as heart surgery, coronary catheterization, or radiofrequency ablation
- Chest injury
- Radiation exposure to the chest
- Certain medications
- Coronary artery disease
- Kidney failure
- Autoimmune diseases
- Cancer
What are the symptoms of pericarditis?
- Sharp pain behind the breastbone or in the left chest, possibly radiating to the neck, shoulders, or back
- Pain worsens with deep breathing, lying flat, or forceful coughing, and improves when sitting and leaning forward
- Fever
- Palpitations
- Fatigue and loss of appetite
- Dry cough
- Easy fatigue and shortness of breath
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Low blood pressure
How is pericarditis diagnosed?
The doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical exam, and may order additional tests such as chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, cardiac CT or MRI, blood tests, and sampling of pericardial fluid for analysis.
How is pericarditis treated?
- Medications such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine, corticosteroids, and antibiotics for infections
- Pericardiocentesis to drain fluid from the pericardial space in patients with cardiac tamponade
- Pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis that reduces the heart’s pumping ability or in cases unresponsive to other treatments
