What is pericarditis?

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What is pericarditis?

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the double-layered sac surrounding the heart. The defining feature is inflammation of these pericardial layers, not infection itself, though infection can be one of the causes. This inflammation often brings sharp chest pain that can worsen with deep breaths or lying flat, and you may hear a friction rub when listening with a stethoscope. ECG changes can show diffuse ST-segment elevations and PR depressions, and if enough fluid accumulates you can get a pericardial effusion. Treatment centers on reducing inflammation (such as NSAIDs or colchicine) and addressing the underlying cause. Infection of the pericardium by pathogens is only one possible trigger for pericarditis; other causes include autoimmune conditions, uremia, or post-heart attack. The other options describe different heart problems: inflammation of the heart muscle is myocarditis, blockage of the coronary arteries leads to ischemia or a heart attack, and an abnormal heartbeat refers to an arrhythmia.

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the double-layered sac surrounding the heart. The defining feature is inflammation of these pericardial layers, not infection itself, though infection can be one of the causes. This inflammation often brings sharp chest pain that can worsen with deep breaths or lying flat, and you may hear a friction rub when listening with a stethoscope. ECG changes can show diffuse ST-segment elevations and PR depressions, and if enough fluid accumulates you can get a pericardial effusion. Treatment centers on reducing inflammation (such as NSAIDs or colchicine) and addressing the underlying cause.

Infection of the pericardium by pathogens is only one possible trigger for pericarditis; other causes include autoimmune conditions, uremia, or post-heart attack. The other options describe different heart problems: inflammation of the heart muscle is myocarditis, blockage of the coronary arteries leads to ischemia or a heart attack, and an abnormal heartbeat refers to an arrhythmia.

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