Why does pericarditis come back

Generally, a small amount of fluid is normally present in between the two layers of pericardium to prevent friction. An inflammation usually results in a build-up of this fluid leading to poor function of the heart. The question is whether pericarditis is life threatening or not.

Taking immediate medical care, emergency help and punctual follow up, pericarditis is just another disease that can be cured with proper medical intervention when done immediately, which is true for all diseases. Prevention is better than cure and prompt treatment will prevent the further complications. It can be life threatening if no proper care is taken.

Pericarditis mostly presents as a sharp and stabbing pain that might mimic a heart attack. It might on occasions be dull pain too. The pain begins in the middle of the chest and radiates to the upper back or neck. The chest pain sometimes worsens on lying down, coughing and swallowing. It is often relieved on sitting up. The pain might also cause painful breathing. The patients also experience low blood pressure, a high temperature fever , and heart palpitations. In Chronic pericarditis, the symptoms develop gradually over a period of many months.

It also takes longer to treat the condition and more often than not, the patient develops further complications. A whole host of reasons could cause pericarditis. This includes many forms of infection, metabolic disorders, neoplasia, autoimmune diseases, tuberculosis, renal failure and many others. In a majority of the cases, it is difficult to identify a specific cause and the treatment is usually directed to improve the symptoms of the condition.

Now whatever the cause, once the condition is developed, it tends to follow a similar clinical reaction independent of the cause. In vast majority of the patients with acute pericarditis, symptoms return within a few weeks of discontinuing treatment. In some patients, this manifests as a single recurrence while others experience this repeatedly over a period of few years.

The predominant symptom experienced during an episode of recurrence is chest pain. Pericarditis can lead to complications such pericardial effusion a buildup of fluid around the heart that can keep it from working properly and chronic constrictive pericarditis scar-like tissue forms throughout the pericardium which squeezes the heart and keeps it from working well. If you have a new or existing heart problem, it's vital to see a doctor. Our heart health checklist can help you determine when to seek care.

Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What causes pericarditis? The following are the most common signs of pericarditis: Chest pain that: Can especially be felt behind the breastbone, and sometimes beneath the clavicle collarbone , neck, and left shoulder Is a sharp, piercing pain over the center or left side of the chest that gets worse when you take a deep breath and usually gets better if you sit up or lean forward Feels a lot like a heart attack Fever Weakness and tiredness Coughing Trouble breathing Pain when swallowing Palpitations irregular heartbeats The symptoms of pericarditis may look like other conditions.

How is pericarditis diagnosed? Along with a complete medical history and physical exam, tests used to diagnose pericarditis may include: Echocardiogram. How is pericarditis treated? Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment based on: How old you are Your overall health and medical history How sick you are How well you can handle specific medicines, procedures, or therapies How long the condition is expected to last Your opinion or preference The goal of treatment for pericarditis is to determine and eliminate the cause of the disease.

If serious heart problems develop, treatment may include: Aspiration or removal of excess fluid around the heart Surgery Pericarditis may last from 2 to 6 weeks, and it may come back.

What are the complications of pericarditis? When should I call my healthcare provider? If your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms, call your healthcare provider.

Key points Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds the heart. Pericarditis may last from 2 to 6 weeks, and it may come back. The chest pain occurs when the irritated layers of the pericardium rub against each other. Pericarditis is usually mild and goes away without treatment. Treatment for more-severe cases may include medications and, rarely, surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment may help reduce the risk of long-term complications from pericarditis.

Chest pain is the most common symptom of pericarditis. It usually feels sharp or stabbing. However, some people have dull, achy or pressure-like chest pain. The specific symptoms you have depend on the type of pericarditis you have.

Pericarditis is grouped into different categories, according to the pattern of symptoms and how long symptoms last. Many of the symptoms of pericarditis are similar to those of other heart and lung conditions. The sooner you are evaluated, the sooner you can receive proper diagnosis and treatment.

For example, although the cause of acute chest pain may be pericarditis, the original cause could have been a heart attack or a blood clot of the lungs pulmonary embolus.

The cause of pericarditis is often hard to determine.