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Information from Your Family Doctor
What You Should Know About Acute Pericarditis
Am Fam Physician. 2014 Apr 1;89(7):online.
See related article on acute pericarditis
What is acute pericarditis?
Acute pericarditis (PAIR-ih-kar-DI-tiss) is an inflammation of the sac around the heart, which is called the pericardium (PAIR-ih-KAR-dee-um). It usually happens in men 20 to 50 years of age, but it can happen in anyone.
How do you get it?
Usually it is caused by a virus. It can also be caused by a heart attack, a tear in the heart, or another disease. Other possible causes are cancer or a reaction to a medicine you have taken. Many times the cause is not known.
What are the symptoms?
Most patients have chest pain. The pain can spread to your jaw and arm, which may feel like a heart attack. This pain may get worse when you lie on your back, cough, or take a deep breath. It usually gets better when you sit and lean forward. Some people never have any chest pain.
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about the pain, listen to your heart, and check for signs of fluid around your heart. He or she may order a test called an electrocardiogram, which shows the electrical activity of your heart. You may need more tests, such as a chest x-ray, an ultrasound of your heart, and blood tests.
How is it treated?
It is treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen (one brand: Motrin), or another medicine called colchicine. Colchicine can help if you have already been diagnosed with acute pericarditis, or if your symptoms do not get better with NSAIDs. This medicine should be taken until your symptoms go away.
What can I expect?
Most patients get better in two to six weeks. You may need to be treated in the hospital if you have a fever higher than 100.4°F, a high white blood cell count, or a lot of fluid in the sac around your heart. You may also be at risk of getting very sick if you take blood thinner medicine, have a weak immune system, have hurt your chest before, or do not get better with NSAIDs.
How do you prevent it?
Acute pericarditis cannot be prevented. There is nothing you can do to lower your risk of getting it.
Where can I get more information?
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
This handout is provided to you by your family doctor and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other health-related information is available from the AAFP online at http://familydoctor.org.
This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
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