1. Damage to Pericardium Jeopardizes Heart
To identify pericarditis means understanding what the pericardium is and how it works. The pericardium is a two-layer sac or membrane that covers the heart and holds it in place, helping it to work properly. The sac consists of an inner layer and an outer layer of tissue, separated by a small amount of fluid between them to prevent friction. Pericarditis appears when this sac gets inflamed and rubs against the heart, restricting its functioning. This inflammation affects mostly men between the ages of 20 and 50, although women and children may develop it. Acute pericarditis happens suddenly and doesn't last long, while chronic pericarditis forms over time and requires long-term treatment.
2. Illness, Injury Precede Pericarditis
Complications from respiratory infections like the cold or the flu commonly cause pericarditis. Other viral infections, such as the coxsackie virus or the echovirus, also cause pericarditis. Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma are autoimmune illnesses that also weaken the immune system and put your organs in harm's way. Preexisting medical conditions, such as kidney failure, HIV, cancer and tuberculosis also are associated with pericarditis. Additionally, pericarditis can occur after heart surgery or a heart attack, as well as after trauma to the chest from an accident or sports injury.
3. Symptoms Resemble Angina
Pain in the center or the left side of the chest may feel like angina, but it's also indicative of pericarditis. Chest pain or discomfort results in angina because of the lack of blood supply to the heart muscle. Unlike pericarditis, angina leaves pressure in the chest area. Sharp, piercing pain characterizes pericarditis, and it sometimes spreads to the neck, left shoulder or abs. This piercing feeling decreases when sitting up or leaning forward, but worsens when you lie down, breathe deeply or swallow. Other pericarditis symptoms to watch include a fever, a dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue and swelling of the legs, ankles and feet.
4. Fluid Accumulation Indicates Inflammation
Your family doctor or internist can diagnose pericarditis. The doctor will evaluate your recent medical history by asking whether you've had the flu, suffered a heart attack or experienced a chest injury. Notify the doctor of other symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, so you get an accurate diagnosis. During the physical exam, the doctor will place a stethoscope on your chest to listen for the pericardial rub, or the sound of the pericardium rubbing against the heart's outer layer. This is indicated by a distant or a muffled sound in the heart, which means that excess fluid has accumulated around the pericardium. An electrocardiogram, a chest X-ray, a cardiac CT, echocardiography and a cardiac MRI are all tests that confirm the presence of pericarditis. Treatment ranges from bed rest for mild cases to anti-inflammatory medications to periocardiocentesis, which is a procedure to remove excess fluid by inserting a catheter into the chest wall.
