Pericarditis is inflammation of the membrane that coats the heart, also known as pericardium, which causes very severe chest pain, similar to a myocardial infarction.Pericarditis usually include infections, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis, rheumatological diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, or chest radiation therapy.
When pericarditis occurs suddenly it is known as acute pericarditis and treatment is usually rapid, with a patient recovery in about 2 weeks; however, there are cases where pericarditis develops over several months, with longer treatment.
Learn about other types of pericarditis: chronic pericarditis and constrictive pericarditis.
Acute pericarditis is curable and, in most cases, treatment is done at home with rest and use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by the cardiologist, however, in more severe cases, hospital admission of the patient may be necessary.
The main symptom of pericarditis is severe chest pain that worsens when you cough, lengthen, or breathe deeply; However, other symptoms include:
When the patient has symptoms of pericarditis, he or she should call for medical help, call 192 or go to the emergency room as soon as possible for tests, such as an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram, and to lose a heart attack, for example.After that, your cardiologist may order other tests, such as a blood test or chest x-ray to confirm your diagnosis of pericarditis and begin proper treatment.
Treatment of pericarditis should be guided by a cardiologist, but is usually done only with the use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or colchicine, that help reduce inflammation.and pain, to the patient’s body, to eliminate the virus that causes pericarditis.In case of bacterial pericarditis, your doctor may also prescribe the use of antibiotics such as amoxicillin or ciprofloxacin, for example.
In the most severe cases of pericarditis, the patient should be admitted to the hospital for medication in the vein or surgery, depending on symptoms and complications.
Complications of pericarditis are more common in cases of chronic pericarditis or when treatment is not done correctly, which can include:
Complications of pericarditis can be life-threatening, and therefore it is always necessary for the patient to enter the hospital.