Overview

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, two-layered, fluid-filled sac that covers the outer surface of your heart. Pericarditis usually develops suddenly and may last from weeks up to several months. The condition usually clears up after three months, but sometimes attacks can come and go for years. Sometimes there is extra fluid in the space between the pericardial layers, which is called pericardial effusion.

Types of pericarditis

  • Acute pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium that develops suddenly along with the sudden onset of symptoms.
  • Chronic pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium that lasts for three months or longer after the initial acute attack.
  • Constrictive pericarditis: A severe form of pericarditis in which the inflamed layers of the pericardium stiffen, develop scar tissue, thicken and stick together. Constrictive pericarditis interferes with your heart’s normal function. This usually happens after multiple episodes of acute pericarditis over time.
  • Infectious pericarditis: develops as the result of a viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection.
  • Idiopathic pericarditis: Pericarditis that doesn’t have a known cause.
  • Traumatic pericarditis: develops as the result of an injury to the chest, such as after a car accident.
  • Uremic pericarditis: develops as the result of kidney failure.
  • Malignant pericarditis: develops as result of a cancer growing in your body.

Myocarditis vs. pericarditis

Both of these are types of inflammation in your heart, but they’re in different places. Myocarditis is in your heart muscle. Pericarditis happens in your pericardium (the lining around your heart). Most often, a virus causes myocarditis and pericarditis. Both can give you chest pain, but with pericarditis, your chest pain should feel better when you sit up and lean forward. With myocarditis, you’ll usually feel tired and weak.

Who does pericarditis affect?

Pericarditis can affect anyone, but it’s most common in men and people assigned male at birth who are between the ages of 16 and 65. An estimated 28 people per 100,000 get pericarditis each year.

How does pericarditis affect my body?

When you have pericarditis, the membrane around your heart is red and swollen, like the skin around a cut that becomes inflamed. The pericardium is a thin, two-layered, fluid-filled sac that covers the outer surface of your heart. It provides lubrication for your heart, shields it from infection and malignancy, and contains your heart in your chest wall. It also keeps your heart from overexpanding when blood volume increases, which keeps your heart functioning efficiently.

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Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
  • High blood pressure.
  • Diabetes.
  • Heart failure.
  • Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
  • Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
  • Don't smoke or use tobacco.
  • Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
  • Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Reduce and manage stress.


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