Pericarditis – causes, complaints & therapy

Inflammation of the pericarditis

In pericarditis, the tissue sheath around the heart is inflamed. Doctors then also speak of pericarditis. The main symptom of acute pericarditis is severe chest pain, often with fever and difficulty breathing. The causes of pericarditis can be manifold and often remain unexplored.

What is pericarditis?

Pericarditis is a disease of the human heart in which the tissue surrounding the heart is inflamed. The pericardium is two thin skins that completely surround the heart and thus protect it.

In pericarditis, the primary and secondary forms of the disease are distinguished. While viruses are usually the trigger for primary pericarditis, secondary pericarditis is based on other diseases. Numerous metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, can trigger pericarditis. More often the primary form of pericarditis is found.

Causes

In most cases, viruses are the trigger for pericarditis (pericarditis). In particular, the so-called Coxsackie viruses are known as pathogens. In a few cases, bacteria can also trigger pericarditis. This happens whenever pathogens spread throughout the body via the bloodstream and thus reach the heart.

A local inflammation, for example in the tooth area after the extraction of a tooth, can cause this as well as pneumonia or tuberculosis. Only in very rare cases are certain cancers the trigger for pericarditis.

As a result of lung or breast cancer, so-called secondary tumors can settle in the pericardium; a primary tumor directly in the pericardium, on the other hand, is very rare. Kidney failure can also promote pericarditis.

When to see a doctor?

If pericarditis is suspected, a doctor should be consulted promptly. Those affected typically suffer from physical fatigue and sudden onset of fever. In addition, there is usually pain under the sternum or the left rib cage. If these symptoms are noticed, a physician must be consulted to clarify the cause. People who have previously developed a bacterial disease or an autoimmune disease are considered particularly susceptible to pericarditis. Anyone who belongs to these risk groups should consult a doctor immediately in case of conspicuous symptoms that affect the heart.

In general, signs of heart failure should be taken seriously. Rapid exhaustion, recurrent fever and heart piercing indicate a serious illness, which is best clarified and treated immediately. Early therapy significantly improves the chances of recovery. In the event of a febrile infection, the emergency doctor must be alerted immediately. Stabbing pain behind the sternum as well as shortness of breath and circulatory collapse are also a case for the emergency services. In case of shortness of breath or a heart attack, first aid measures must be taken.

Symptoms and course

Typical symptoms:

With pericarditis, patients complain not only of elevated temperature, but also of pain under the sternum. When coughing or inhaling as well as lying down, these pains usually intensify – a bent upper body, in turn, provides relief for most patients.

However, the symptoms of pericarditis are not always clear. A sudden physical weakness, combined with a high fever, can usually not be clearly assigned to a specific disease. Severe fever is a common symptom, especially in bacterial pericarditis.

A common side effect of pericarditis is pericardial effusion, in which fluid accumulates in the pericardium. If this is the case, the activity of the heart can be restricted. Other symptoms can include congested veins in the neck, swollen legs and an enlarged liver.

Diagnosis

In addition to the typical symptoms, the doctor treating you can also diagnose pericarditis using various examination methods. ECG and Ultrasound are just as much used examination methods as various X -ray and blood tests.

First, however, a comprehensive questioning of the medical history and a thorough physical examination are carried out. During this, the doctor listens to the patient’s heart with a stethoscope. The ECG, in turn, shows some typical changes that are quite similar to a heart attack. The examination of the blood, in turn, shows signs of inflammation well: In the case of inflammation, for example, the number of white blood cells is usually increased.

A possible complication of pericarditis is the so-called cardiac tamponade. Due to the high amount of fluid, this creates pressure on the heart, so that it can no longer work properly. A Drop in blood pressure and the resulting shock are not uncommon. Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency that should definitely be treated in the hospital.

Complications

In most cases, pericarditis can be treated relatively well. As a rule, no particular complications arise if treatment is initiated at an early stage. Those affected suffer from pericarditis primarily from a very high fever and also from general weakness. Reduced resilience and permanent fatigue can also occur as a result of the pericarditis and significantly reduce the quality of life of those affected. In many cases, there is also chest pain and a Racing Heart .

Due to the relatively simple diagnosis, pericarditis can be diagnosed at an early stage, so that early treatment can also be carried out. This is carried out with the help of antibiotics and bed rest and is usually not associated with any complications. In some cases, the pericarditis can occur due to kidney failure, so that the person concerned is dependent on dialysis.

In serious cases, however, surgical interventions are also necessary. Furthermore, the further course of the disease depends strongly on its cause. Whether this will lead to a reduction in life expectancy cannot be universally predicted.

treatment and therapy

Pericarditis is usually treated with medication. Anti-inflammatory drugs are usually administered; especially with a viral pericarditis they help very well. If the pericarditis is caused by bacteria, antibiotics are also prescribed.

If other diseases are the trigger for the pericarditis, it is important to treat this underlying disease effectively first. If kidney failure is the trigger, the patient will probably have to undergo dialysis , i.e. cleaning of the blood. In the case of a tumor-related pericarditis, chemotherapy or radiation treatment is usually used.

Only if cardiac tamponade or cardiac effusion occurs as a complication will the doctor drain excess fluid. Nowadays this is done by means of a puncture or drainage. Of course, complications can also occur with this treatment – in about five percent of the cases there is bleeding or incorrect punctures.

As a rule, the chances of recovery from pericarditis are very good and the prospects of recovery are positive. Viral pericarditis usually heals completely after one to three weeks – provided appropriate treatment is given.

Prevention

Inflammation of the pericardium (pericarditis) can hardly be prevented. Of course, a healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise and a healthy diet leads to the exclusion of numerous diseases, which in turn can promote pericarditis. The drug colchichin is worth mentioning because it can prevent a so-called idiopathic pericarditis, which recurs regularly.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *