Pericardial Disease is an inflammation of the layers of the pericardium of the heart. The Pericardium is the thin tissue sac that surrounds the heart. There are multiple components within this sac that are impacted by this disease, including the visceral pericardium, the middle fluid layer between the layers of the heart, and the parietal pericardium, which is the muscle layer of the heart.
There are various potential causes for pericardial disease, and it can come on quite suddenly in some cases. Pericardial disease can also be chronic rather than acute.
The most common symptoms of pericardial disease are:
The cause of pericarditis is not known. However, it is often linked with viral infections in the body. Pericarditis can also occur after a respiratory or digestive system infection. Recurrent pericarditis is thought to be linked with autoimmune disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
The risk factors for pericarditis are:
Additionally, men aged 16 to 65 are more likely to get pericarditis than other groups. Many people who are diagnosed with and treated for pericarditis will experience the condition again.
Diagnosis for this condition is based on a physical exam and patient-reported symptoms. If your doctor believes that the symptoms could be related to pericarditis, there will be additional tests that are ordered.
Acute pericarditis cannot be prevented. You can, however, seek treatment right away to help ensure that you do not suffer from chronic pericarditis in the future. Pericarditis often goes away on its own, but when it is not treated promptly, there can be damage to your heart that can be impossible to reverse.
Treatment of pericarditis is done through the use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents) to help decrease pain and manage inflammation in the heart. Steroids might be used for severe attacks to manage any swelling in the heart. Antibiotics will be used to treat your pericarditis if it has been caused by an infection in your body. Colchicine can also be given to those who suffer from chronic pericarditis to help manage their symptoms.
Pericarditis typically resolves in about two to four weeks, but for chronic sufferers, it may continue to reoccur.