The pericardium is a thin sac that protects the heart, but it becomes inflamed and can cause severe pain that feels like pressure or stabbing. You may feel various other symptoms of pericarditis, such as fatigue, fever, or shortness of breath. Pericarditis is an inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart. It is usually mild and goes away on its own, but in some cases it requires treatment. In the following lines with Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, we will learn about the causes of pericarditis, its symptoms, and how to treat it. Read on for more.

What is pericarditis?

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium. The pericardium is a membrane surrounding the heart. The pericardium consists of two thin layers, with a small amount of fluid between them. The fluid works to reduce the friction between the two layers during the movement of the heart. The causes of pericarditis are as follows:

• Viral infections are the most common cause.
• Bacterial infections, which occur as a result of infection with bacteria such as tuberculosis or staphylococcus.
• Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus.
• Chest injuries, where direct injuries lead to pericarditis.
• Heart attacks in some cases, as it may occur after a heart attack.
• It could happen yet Heart surgery.
• There are also some other different causes such as kidney failure, as well as taking some medications and radiation.

Symptoms of pericarditis

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart. Symptoms of pericarditis vary between mild symptoms and severe symptoms. The most prominent symptoms are as follows:

• Chest pain, which is usually sharp and the pain is concentrated in the middle of the chest or the left side of it. The pain may also increase when lying down, breathing deeply, or coughing. The pain also decreases when sitting and leaning forward.
• Shortness of breath, caused by pain or fluid accumulation around the heart.
• Cough may be dry or irritating.
• Fever may be mild or severe.
• The patient feels tired and generally exhausted.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat.

There are also some other possible symptoms, including swelling in the legs or feet, pain in the abdomen, headache, and pain in the muscles and joints. احجز استشارتك في مركز القلب والأوعية الدموية At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.

How is pericarditis diagnosed?

Pericarditis is diagnosed through some necessary tests and procedures, which include the following:

Physical examination

The doctor uses a stethoscope to examine the sound of the heart. A distinctive sound may be heard, such as leaves rubbing against each other, which is known as the sound of pericardial friction. The temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure are measured.

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An electrocardiogram shows a characteristic pattern in cases of pericarditis and helps rule out other conditions such as a heart attack.

Chest X-ray

The heart and lungs are examined, and the X-ray shows an enlargement of the heart or the presence of fluid around it, which indicates pericarditis.

Echocardiography

Cardiac ultrasound. The examination shows a detailed picture of the heart. It can also reveal the presence of fluid around the pericardium or changes in heart movement.

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Examination of signs of inflammation, as blood tests show an increase in some signs that indicate the presence of inflammation in the body, such as C-reactive protein and rapid blood sedimentation. Kidney function is also examined to rule out other causes of chest pain, and heart enzymes are examined to rule out a heart attack.

Other tests in rare cases

In rare cases, other tests are performed, such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and pericardiocentesis.

It is important to go to the doctor if you suffer from chest pain or other symptoms that indicate pericarditis. The doctor can perform the necessary tests to accurately diagnose the condition and determine the appropriate treatment.

Complications of pericarditis

Normally, pericarditis is mild and goes away on its own. In some cases, it causes serious complications, including the following:

• Pericardial effusion, which is known as the accumulation of fluid between the two layers of the pericardium, may not cause symptoms if it is mild, but if it is large, it may put pressure on the heart and cause shortness of breath and chest pain.
• Cardiac tamponade is a serious condition in which severe pressure on the heart occurs as a result of fluid accumulation in the pericardium, preventing the heart from filling with blood properly. This leads to low blood pressure and shock, and requires immediate medical intervention to relieve the pressure on the heart.
• Constrictive pericarditis, when the pericardium becomes thick, prevents the heart from expanding properly, causes shortness of breath and swelling in the legs and abdomen, and may require the need to remove part of the pericardium.
• Pericarditis may lead to myocarditis or other heart problems.

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Methods of treating pericarditis

Treatment varies depending on the cause and severity of symptoms. The following are the most prominent treatment methods:

• Obtaining various medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, as well as colchicine, corticosteroids, and antibiotics.
• It is necessary to avoid strenuous physical activity, and the patient needs bed rest in severe cases.
• In some severe cases, admission to the hospital is required to receive monitoring and treatment. Treatment includes giving medications intravenously, monitoring heart function, and conducting additional tests to determine the cause of pericarditis.
• There are some medical procedures that the doctor resorts to, such as pericardiocentesis and pericardial resection.

How to prevent pericarditis

There is no sure method for complete prevention, but there are a number of measures that must be taken to reduce the risk of infection, which are as follows:

• Personal hygiene and washing hands regularly, especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
• Stay away from people who suffer from contagious viral or bacterial diseases.
• Obtaining the necessary vaccinations, such as influenza vaccination, as this helps prevent some types of infections that cause pericarditis.
• Follow a healthy diet and eat foods rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.
• Follow regular moderate exercise, such as walking and jogging, which helps maintain a healthy heart and immune system.
• Get enough sleep.
• Follow healthy, beneficial ways to deal with stress, such as meditation and yoga.
• It is necessary to treat chronic diseases to reduce the risk of developing pericarditis.
• Take precautions to avoid injuries.
• Refer to the doctor immediately to diagnose the condition and receive appropriate treatment if symptoms of pericarditis appear.

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Duration of recovery from pericarditis

The recovery time from pericarditis depends on a number of different factors, including:

• The cause of inflammation. If the cause is a simple viral infection, the patient recovers within a few weeks. However, if the cause is more complex, such as an autoimmune disease, recovery can take up to a month.
• The severity of the inflammation: in mild cases, it may heal quickly, while in severe cases, it may require a longer time to heal.
• Adherence to the treatment recommended by the doctor plays a very important role in speeding recovery.

In general, the recovery period can be divided into three stages: the acute stage, which lasts from a few days to weeks and is the period during which symptoms appear noticeably, the recovery stage, which begins after symptoms improve and takes a period between weeks to months, and the post-recovery stage, during which some patients may suffer from mild or intermittent symptoms for a longer period.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the pericardium located?

The pericardium is located in the chest. It is a very thin sac consisting of two layers surrounding the heart. The inner layer is directly attached to the surface of the heart, while the outer layer is more solid than the inner layer and surrounds the heart from the outside. Between the two layers there is a small amount of fluid that facilitates the movement of the heart and reduces the friction between the two layers during the heartbeat.

How long does pericardiocentesis take?

The pericardiocentesis procedure usually takes between 20 to 60 minutes, but this duration varies according to a number of factors, including the amount of fluid accumulated around the heart, the procedure technique used, the doctor’s experience, and the patient’s condition.

Does pericarditis appear in echo?

Yes, pericarditis can appear on an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram is an examination in which ultrasound waves are used to create an image of the heart. An echocardiogram can reveal the presence of fluid around the heart, which is known as a pericardial effusion. An echocardiogram can reveal thickening of the pericardium or changes in the movement of the heart, which are related. It should be noted that an echocardiogram may not be enough to diagnose conclusively. Other tests may need to be performed, such as a chest X-ray or an electrocardiogram (ECG).

Is pericarditis contagious?

The answer to this question depends on the cause. In most cases, it is not contagious, that is, it is not transmitted from one individual to another, but there are some cases in which it is the result of an infection, such as viral infections, bacterial infections, and fungal infections. If pericarditis is caused by an infection, it is important to take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the infection, such as washing hands regularly and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.

If you notice symptoms of pericarditis, book your appointment now and head to Al Mousa Specialist Hospital to be accurately diagnosed by our carefully selected doctors so that your treatment journey can begin immediately.

Medical references 

Pericarditis – mayoclinic

What is pericarditis – healthdirect