What is pericarditis?
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, a stretchy sac-like cover surrounding your heart.
The pericardium consists of two layers of thin tissue with a small amount of fluid between them. It protects your heart from infection and from rubbing on surrounding tissues when it beats, which can cause irritation. When the pericardium becomes irritated, it becomes inflamed, and pericarditis develops.
Types of pericarditis
There are different types of pericarditis, with variations depending on how it develops:
- Infectious pericarditis: Developing as a result of a viral, bacterial or other infection.
- Traumatic pericarditis: Developing as a result of trauma to the chest, such as after a car accident.
- Idiopathic pericarditis: Developing without a clear-cut or definitive cause.
- Constrictive pericarditis: Scar tissue develops in the pericardium, causing the tissue to thicken and lose its elasticity. This type may lead to long-term issues resembling heart failure.
- Effusive-constrictive pericarditis: When fluid builds up in the pericardium.
Symptoms of pericarditis
Acute pericarditis
The most common symptom of acute pericarditis is sharp, stabbing chest pain in the middle or on the left side of the chest. Pain may radiate to one or both shoulders. Other symptoms may include:
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Feeling that your heart is beating too fast, fluttering or skipping a beat (arrhythmia)
- Fever
- Weakness
Symptoms may get better if you sit up and lean forward and get worse when you breathe deeply or lie down.
Acute pericarditis isn’t usually life-threatening, but the symptoms are similar to heart attack symptoms. Seek medical help immediately if you experience sudden chest pain.
Chronic pericarditis
Chronic pericarditis may cause chest pain but not always. Common symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Extreme tiredness for no known reason
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs or stomach
Recurrent pericarditis
Recurrent pericarditis may cause a dull or stabbing pain or pressure in the chest. Like acute pericarditis, these symptoms often change as your breathing or position changes.
Other possible symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
- Fast or fluttering heartbeat
- Fever
- Low blood pressure
- Swelling in the belly, ankles, feet or legs
Risk factors for pericarditis
Anyone can develop pericarditis.
Different factors may cause pericarditis, and it is not uncommon for a single, exact cause to remain unknown. Some causes include:
- Bacterial infections
- Cancer
- Certain medications, including some blood thinners and anti-seizure drugs
- Injury or trauma to the chest
- Kidney failure
- Viral infections, such as COVID-19 and pneumonia
Additionally, chronic and recurrent pericarditis can be caused by autoimmune disorders, conditions in which the body attacks healthy tissue, or other conditions that affect the immune system, such as:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma
Your risk of pericarditis is higher after:
- A heart attack
- Open heart surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Percutaneous treatment, such as cardiac catheterization or radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
What are the complications of pericarditis?
- Pericardial effusion: Occurs when fluid builds up in the pericardium.
- Constrictive pericarditis: Occurs when the pericardium becomes thick and stiff. This can happen due to inflammation or scarring, making it harder for the heart to fill with blood properly.
- Cardiac tamponade: Occurs when fluid builds up in the sac around the heart and puts pressure on the heart, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively. This is a medical emergency.
How is pericarditis diagnosed?
To diagnose pericarditis, your provider will ask you about your medical history, including any recent injuries, illnesses or infections. They will also ask you to describe your symptoms and if anything makes symptoms better or worse.
Your provider will carry out a physical exam and listen to your heart. They may hear the heart and pericardium rubbing together or sounds caused by excess fluid in the lungs or pericardium.
Based on your exam, your provider may order one of the following diagnostic tests to gather more information.
Blood tests
Different types of blood tests may be done to measure specific enzyme and protein levels that might indicate inflammation or infection.Cardiac imaging
Cardiac imaging uses chest X-ray, CT, MRI or positron emission tomography to take detailed images of your heart, the pericardium, and nearby blood vessels and tissues. The tests can also show how well blood moves through your heart.Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is an imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to show your heart’s functionality.Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram (ECG) measures your heart’s electrical activity. If an ECG picks up unusual activity, it can be a sign of irregular heartbeats related to pericarditis.Treating pericarditis
With treatment, most people recover fully from pericarditis without complications.
Treatment varies based on the cause, severity and type. The main goals of treatment are to:
- Decrease pain
- Reduce inflammation
- Treat the underlying cause when known
- Watch for and prevent complications
If your cardiologist can uncover what’s causing your pericarditis, getting treatment for that condition may be all you need.
If the cause is unknown, your treatment may include medications to reduce inflammation or manage symptoms. Your cardiologist will likely recommend rest and activity restrictions.
If fluid buildup in the pericardium affects your heart’s function, you may need surgery to drain the excess fluid. Often, cardiac surgeons can make an incision in the pericardium and allow fluid to drain into the abdomen.
Find a location near you
With advanced pericarditis care, we can lower your risk of complications and help you return to your usual routine. We can help you get the care you need to treat and recover from pericarditis at a location that fits your needs. Our cardiologists are available at many locations, including our specialized locations across North and Central Texas.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
AccentCare Home Health of Brenham
526 W Main St , Brenham, TX, 77833
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
119 Medical Park Lane Ste C, Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
1605 Rock Prairie Rd Ste 206, College Station, TX, 77845
AccentCare Home Health Of Denton
225 W. Mulberry St. Ste A, Denton, TX, 76201
AccentCare Home Health Of Desoto
911 York Drive Ste 203, DeSoto, TX, 75115
AccentCare Home Health Of Fort Worth (Arlington)
700 Highlander Blvd Ste 205, Arlington, TX, 76015
AccentCare Home Health of Huntsville
122 Medical Park Lane B , Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of Marble Falls
1100 Mission Hills Dr Ste 100, Marble Falls, TX, 78654
AccentCare Home Health Of McKinney
6800 Weiskopf Ave Ste 100, McKinney, TX, 75070
AccentCare Home Health Of Taylor (Hutto)
567 Chris Kelley Blvd Ste 201, Hutto, TX, 78634
AccentCare Home Health Of Temple
3809 S General Bruce Dr Ste 105B, Temple, TX, 76502
AccentCare Home Health Of Waco
8300 Central Park Dr Ste A, Waco, TX, 76712
AdventHealth Central Texas
2201 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549
Andrews Women's Hospital at Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White - Hillcrest Infectious Disease Clinic
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd MOB1, Ste 104, Waco, TX, 76712
Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute
900 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute - Huntsville
122 Medical Park Ln Ste A, Huntsville, TX, 77340
Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic
600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White 65+ Clinic
4716 Alliance Blvd Ste 500, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiac Imaging Specialists
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiovascular and Imaging Consultants
4708 Alliance Blvd Ste 450, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Digestive Care
3434 Swiss Ave Ste 200, Dallas, TX, 75204
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart and Lung Disease Center - Fort Worth
1420 8th Ave Ste 103, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Decatur
2401 S FM 51 Ste 200, Decatur, TX, 76234
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Keller (Satellite)
3124 N Tarrant Pkwy Ste 204, Keller, TX, 76177
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - McKinney (Satellite)
5236 W University Dr Ste 4450, McKinney, TX, 75071
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Plano
4716 Dexter Dr Ste 100, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Irving
2001 N MacArthur Blvd Bldg 1, Ste 360, Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene
1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Amarillo
1901 Medi Park Dr Ste 2051, Amarillo, TX, 79106
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Midland/Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E MOB 2, Ste 310, Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Lung Disease Specialists - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Ambulatory Endoscopy Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 210, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm