Pericarditis is an inflammation of the dual layered thin sac that lines your heart, known as the pericardial sac or pericardium. Pericardial sac inflammation often occurs on the heals of an upper respiratory infection.
The most common symptom of paricarditis is sharp chest pain. The sharpness of the pain may worsen with a deep breath or when lying down. While, leaning forward may offer some relief of the pain in your chest.
Other symptoms that can be caused by pericarditis include:
- dry cough
- anxiety feeling
- eye hemorrhage
- lower extremity edema
- breathing difficulty increase when supine
In some cases, pericarditis is caused by other health conditions, such as:
- heart attack
- kidney failure
- cancer, leukemia
- chest, esophagus, heart trauma
- autoimmune disorders ~ lupus, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis
Standard treatment is usually taking OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, for instance ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen. Antibiotics are not prescribed unless a bacterial infection is the likely cause of your sharp chest pain pericardium inflammation.
Pericarditis typically clears up on own within a month or so. However, if your inflammation is to such an extent that it causes a heart functioning issue, then pericardial sac fluid drainage may be required.
Pericarditis can be chronic or recur. And pleurisy might accompany your sharp chest pain causing pericarditis.