Pericarditis

Pericarditis, myocarditis and perimyocarditis: ECG changes and clinical features The pericardium is a double-walled sac in which the heart andthe roots of the great vessels are contained (Figure 1).The pericardial sac encloses the pericardial cavity which contains pericardial fluid. Numerousconditions may cause inflammation in the pericardium, the pericardial cavity and/or the myocardium. Pericarditis refers to inflammation ofthe pericardium, and myocarditis refers to inflammation ofthe myocardial (muscle) tissue. However,it is often difficult to differentiatepericarditis and myocarditis, and they tend to accompany each other. Therefore, the term perimyocarditisis often used in clinical practice (this article will use all three terms interchangeably). The etiology,clinical characteristics and Figure 1. The pericardial sac and the myocardium. Note that pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardial sac) is difficult to discern from myocarditis (inflammation of the myocardial tissue) and because they tend to accompany each other, the term perimyocarditis is often used. Image by Bruce Blausen, Blausen Gallery 2014. Causes of acute pericarditis/myocarditis The most frequent cause of pericarditis is infections, in particular viralinfections. This explains why pericarditis may affect individuals of all ages. However, a wide range of local and systemic conditions may cause pericarditis.The most common causes are as follows: • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) • Systemic Lupus Erythematosu...

Acute pericarditis is a painful condition where the fluid-filled pouch around your heart is inflamed. This can happen because of infections, cancer or heart surgery. While it’s usually not dangerous on its own, it shares symptoms with a heart attack. That means you shouldn’t ignore symptoms and should get medical care right away if you have them. Overview Pericardial inflammation from acute pericarditis. What is acute pericarditis? Acute pericarditis is painful inflammation of the pericardium, the fluid-filled pouch surrounding your heart. The pain usually gets worse when you’re lying down or when you breathe in. Depending on the cause, it’s almost always treatable, and most people with this condition will recover with few or no complications. What is the pericardium? The pericardium is a double-layered pouch inside your chest. It holds your How does this condition affect my body? Under normal circumstances, the pericardium has enough room inside it for your heart to expand and fill up with blood between heartbeats. Inflammation of the pericardium is usually not dangerous on its own, but it can lead to dangerous complications. These happen when fluid buildup inside the pericardium — a Swelling and fluid buildup inside the pericardium can fill that space and crowd out your heart. When this happens slowly, sometimes the pericardium can stretch to allow for the extra fluid and your heart to beat properly. But when it happens quickly, the fluid pushes on your heart. So the hea...

Myocarditis Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. This illustration shows a typical heart muscle compared to damaged heart muscle due to inflammation. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). The inflammation can reduce the heart's ability to pump blood. Myocarditis can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Infection with a virus is one cause of myocarditis. Sometimes a drug reaction or general inflammatory condition causes myocarditis. Symptoms Some people with early myocarditis don't have symptoms. Others have mild symptoms. Common myocarditis symptoms include: • Chest pain • Fatigue • Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet • Rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias) • Shortness of breath, at rest or during activity • Light-headedness or feeling like you might faint • Flu-like symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pain, fever or sore throat Sometimes, myocarditis symptoms are like a heart attack. If you are having unexplained chest pain and shortness of breath, seek emergency medical help. Myocarditis in children When children develop myocarditis, symptoms may include: • Breathing difficulties • Chest pain • Fainting • Fever • Rapid breathing • Rapid or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) When to see a doctor Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of myocarditis. Symptoms of myocarditis can seem like a heart attack. Get emergency medical help if you have unexplai...

Pericardial disease, or pericarditis, is • Visceral pericardium -- an inner layer that envelopes the entire • A middle fluid layer to prevent friction between the visceral pericardium and parietal pericardium • Parietal pericardium -- an outer layer made of fibrous tissue What Causes Pericarditis? Causes of pericarditis include: • Infections • Heart surgery • • Trauma • Tumors • • • For some people, no cause can be found. Pericarditis can be acute (occurring suddenly) or chronic (long-standing). What Are the Symptoms of Pericarditis? When present, symptoms of pericarditis may include: • Chest pain . This pain is frequently sharp and located in the center of the chest. The pain may radiate to the neck and shoulders, and occasionally, the arms and back. It can be made worse when lying down, • Low-grade fever. • Increased heart rate. How Is Pericarditis Diagnosed? Your doctor can diagnose pericarditis based on: • Reported symptoms • Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) results • Echocardiogram • Cardiac MRI • Other tests may be performed to determine the cause of pericarditis. What Is the Treatment for Pericarditis? Treatment of pericarditis is based on the cause and may include: • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents ( • • • Most patients recover from pericarditis in two to four weeks. What Is Constrictive Pericarditis? Constrictive pericarditis occurs when the pericardium becomes thickened and scarred. This can make it difficult for the heart to expand with What Are the Symptoms...

Signs and symptoms of pericarditis A common symptom of acute pericarditis is a sharp, stabbing Sitting up and leaning forward tends to ease the pain, while lying down and breathing deep worsens it. Some people describe the pain as a dull ache or pressure in their chest. The chest pain may feel like a Fever is another common symptom of acute pericarditis. Other symptoms are weakness, trouble breathing and coughing. Palpitations, which are feelings that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering or beating too hard or too fast, may occur and can be a sign of deeper heart tissue involvement. Chronic pericarditis often causes tiredness, coughing and shortness of breath. Chest pain is sometimes absent with this type of pericarditis. Severe cases of chronic pericarditis can lead to swelling in the stomach, feet, ankles and legs and Complications of pericarditis Two serious complications of pericarditis are cardiac tamponade and chronic constrictive pericarditis. • Cardiac tamponade happens if too much fluid collects in the sac, putting pressure on the heart. This prevents the heart from properly filling with blood, so less blood leaves the heart, causing a sharp drop in blood pressure. Untreated cardiac tamponade can be fatal. • Chronic constrictive pericarditis is a rare disease that takes time to develop. It leads to scar-like tissue forming throughout the sac around the heart. As the sac becomes stiff and unable to move properly, the scarred tissue starts to compress the heart...

Pericarditis is a condition that affects the pericardium, a thin membrane that surrounds your heart. When pericarditis develops, this can cause the heart’s tissue to become swollen and inflamed, forcing the layers to rub against each other. This can lead to debilitating symptoms that can impact your daily life. There are many types of pericarditis ranging from acute to chronic, and the signs may differ for each patient. Myocarditis Foundation is here to raise awareness about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of pericarditis, and support research efforts that work toward a cure. Although the exact cause of pericarditis can be unknown, most known cases arise due to underlying diseases, including: • Viral infections • Heart trauma • Systemic inflammatory disorders • Certain medications • Complications from a heart attack or surgery Because pericarditis creates inflammation in surrounding heart tissue, the consistent rubbing of the layers can cause a variety of symptoms to occur. Similar to symptoms of a heart attack, the most common sign of pericarditis is sharp chest pains. These pains can worsen if you sit, inhale deeply, or cough, and leaning forward can work to alleviate discomfort. Depending on the type of pericarditis you have, chest discomfort can either subside quickly or develop slowly and worsen over a long period. Some additional symptoms include: • Low-grade fever • Muscle weakness • Heart palpitations To diagnose symptoms of pericarditis, doctors wil...

Overview Myopericarditis is inflammation in your heart’s protective sac, as well as your heart muscle. What is myopericarditis? Myopericarditis is a heart condition that affects your heart muscle and the protective sac around your heart. Your heart muscle is your myocardium. An inflamed myocardium is called When both of these happen, but it affects your pericardium more than your heart muscle, it’s myopericarditis. It can be mild to severe. When you have both conditions, but the issue is mostly with your heart muscle, it’s called perimyocarditis. Myopericarditis vs. pericarditis People with these conditions have similar symptoms, such as: • • • Fatigue. • However, people with myopericarditis more often have Symptoms and Causes What are the symptoms of myopericarditis? Myopericarditis symptoms include: • Shortness of breath. • Fever. • Tiredness. • • Chest pain that can be sharp and get worse when you breathe in or cough. Chest pain may keep going without a break or get better when you lean forward. What causes myopericarditis? Most of the time, healthcare providers can’t find a definite cause of myopericarditis. However, myopericarditis causes include: • Viruses, including • Bacteria, including • Parasites. • Fungi. • Smallpox or COVID-19 vaccines. (Myopericarditis from a COVID-19 vaccine is rare and usually not serious.) • • • A tumor in your heart. • Inflammatory diseases (such as • Cancer that has spread to other parts of your body (such as • Radiation to your chest. Wh...

Myocarditis Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. This illustration shows a typical heart muscle compared to damaged heart muscle due to inflammation. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). The inflammation can reduce the heart's ability to pump blood. Myocarditis can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Infection with a virus is one cause of myocarditis. Sometimes a drug reaction or general inflammatory condition causes myocarditis. Symptoms Some people with early myocarditis don't have symptoms. Others have mild symptoms. Common myocarditis symptoms include: • Chest pain • Fatigue • Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet • Rapid or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias) • Shortness of breath, at rest or during activity • Light-headedness or feeling like you might faint • Flu-like symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pain, fever or sore throat Sometimes, myocarditis symptoms are like a heart attack. If you are having unexplained chest pain and shortness of breath, seek emergency medical help. Myocarditis in children When children develop myocarditis, symptoms may include: • Breathing difficulties • Chest pain • Fainting • Fever • Rapid breathing • Rapid or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) When to see a doctor Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of myocarditis. Symptoms of myocarditis can seem like a heart attack. Get emergency medical help if you have unexplai...

Acute pericarditis is a painful condition where the fluid-filled pouch around your heart is inflamed. This can happen because of infections, cancer or heart surgery. While it’s usually not dangerous on its own, it shares symptoms with a heart attack. That means you shouldn’t ignore symptoms and should get medical care right away if you have them. Overview Pericardial inflammation from acute pericarditis. What is acute pericarditis? Acute pericarditis is painful inflammation of the pericardium, the fluid-filled pouch surrounding your heart. The pain usually gets worse when you’re lying down or when you breathe in. Depending on the cause, it’s almost always treatable, and most people with this condition will recover with few or no complications. What is the pericardium? The pericardium is a double-layered pouch inside your chest. It holds your How does this condition affect my body? Under normal circumstances, the pericardium has enough room inside it for your heart to expand and fill up with blood between heartbeats. Inflammation of the pericardium is usually not dangerous on its own, but it can lead to dangerous complications. These happen when fluid buildup inside the pericardium — a Swelling and fluid buildup inside the pericardium can fill that space and crowd out your heart. When this happens slowly, sometimes the pericardium can stretch to allow for the extra fluid and your heart to beat properly. But when it happens quickly, the fluid pushes on your heart. So the hea...

Pericarditis, myocarditis and perimyocarditis: ECG changes and clinical features The pericardium is a double-walled sac in which the heart andthe roots of the great vessels are contained (Figure 1).The pericardial sac encloses the pericardial cavity which contains pericardial fluid. Numerousconditions may cause inflammation in the pericardium, the pericardial cavity and/or the myocardium. Pericarditis refers to inflammation ofthe pericardium, and myocarditis refers to inflammation ofthe myocardial (muscle) tissue. However,it is often difficult to differentiatepericarditis and myocarditis, and they tend to accompany each other. Therefore, the term perimyocarditisis often used in clinical practice (this article will use all three terms interchangeably). The etiology,clinical characteristics and Figure 1. The pericardial sac and the myocardium. Note that pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardial sac) is difficult to discern from myocarditis (inflammation of the myocardial tissue) and because they tend to accompany each other, the term perimyocarditis is often used. Image by Bruce Blausen, Blausen Gallery 2014. Causes of acute pericarditis/myocarditis The most frequent cause of pericarditis is infections, in particular viralinfections. This explains why pericarditis may affect individuals of all ages. However, a wide range of local and systemic conditions may cause pericarditis.The most common causes are as follows: • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) • Systemic Lupus Erythematosu...