Acute Pericarditis

Acute pericarditis is a short-term

inflammation

 of the

pericardium

, often occurring after a viral

upper respiratory tract

 infection like a sore throat or a cold.
If left untreated, acute pericarditis may lead to life-threatening heart conditions like

cardiac tamponade

 and

constrictive pericarditis

.
Symptoms

Fever

  • Greater than or equal to 38°C (100.4°F), Less than 38°C (100.4°F)

common

Chest discomfort

  • Center of the chest, Left side

  • Occurs or worsens with lying on back

  • Relieved by sitting up and leaning forward

  • Occurs or worsens with deep inspiration, Occurs or worsens with laughing, coughing or sneezing

  • Rapidly developing

  • Sudden, intense spike of pain

common

Cough with mucus or without mucus

  • Dry

common

Difficulty breathing

common

Rapid heart rate

Risk factors

Recent upper respiratory tract infection

History of heart attack

Lung cancer

or Hodgkin lymphoma

or Breast cancer

or Kidney cancer

or Melanoma

or Radiation therapy

  • Chest

Thick and hard skin

Recent chest injury or trauma

Rheumatoid arthritis

Kidney failure or on dialysis

Polyarteritis Nodosa

History of cardiac surgery

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Treatment
Acute pericarditis is typically treated with

NSAIDs

 to reduce pain and inflammation, but it may also be treated with colchicine to help prevent recurrent pericarditis, or corticosteroids if NSAIDs and colchicine seem to have no effect.
Recommended specialist

If you have Acute Pericarditis, then a visit to a cardiologist is highly recommended.

Contact a

Cardiologist

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