What is pericarditis?
What is pericarditis?
Pericarditis is an inflammation and swelling of the thin, saclike tissue surrounding the heart (the pericardium). The inflamed layers of the pericardium rub against each other, causing chest pain. As such, sharp chest pain is a common symptom of pericarditis.
Pericarditis is usually mild and resolves on its own, but medication and, in rare situations, surgery may be used to treat more severe cases. Early detection and treatment of pericarditis may help lower the risk of long-term consequences. Tests like MRIs, CT scans, and Transthoracic Echocardiograms can detect pericarditis and a simple stethoscope reading to detect the “pericardial rub”.
Symptoms
Pericarditis’ primary symptom is chest pain, mainly stabbing chest pain, but may include increased chest pain upon coughing or on inspiration; other symptoms include:
- Back pain around the shoulder blade area
- Dry cough
- Fatigue
- Heart palpitations
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
Acute pericarditis appears rapidly and lasts for three weeks or less. Future episodes are possible. Sometimes It can be difficult to distinguish acute pericarditis from pain caused by a heart attack.
Recurrent pericarditis develops four to six weeks following an acute pericarditis episode, with no symptoms in the interim. Incessant pericarditis lasts about four to six weeks but less than three months. The signs and symptoms do not stop (hence recurrent).
Chronic constrictive pericarditis is characterised by a gradual onset and a duration of more than three months.
What is myocarditis?
Myocarditis is a heart muscle inflammation (myocardium). Inflammation can impair the heart's ability to pump blood, resulting in fast or irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). It can produce blood clots, leading to a heart attack or stroke, heart damage, or death in severe cases.
Myocarditis can be detected, or at least suspected, during a physical examination due to indications of swelling in your legs and feet or an irregular heartbeat. If myocarditis is suspected, your doctor might send you for an x-ray, ECG Test, MRI, or Echocardiogram Test.
Symptoms
Sometimes, myocarditis can present without any other symptoms apart from the swelling of feet and legs or pleuritic chest pain. Common symptoms include rapid or irregular heartbeat, fatigue, joint stiffness, shortness of breath, and light headedness.
Other symptoms might include:
- Fever
- Body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
Myocarditis can be acute or chronic. Acute my ocarditisre solves more easily and is generally classified as such when the time between your symptoms appearing and the time you obtain a diagnosis is less than a month. The majority of acute myocarditis cases improve directly or shortly there after after treatment.
Chronic myocarditis is defined as when your symptoms persist or become increasingly difficult to manage. While this appears to be related tot he immune system's response, in reality, it is frequently linked to autoimmune illnesses, which can lead to an increase in body inflammation.
What is the difference between pericarditis and myocarditis?
Many similarities present themselves between the two conditions, as they can be interrelated due to them both being conditions of the heart. To put it simply, myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis is an inflammation of the heart's lining.
Usually secondary to a viral infection, like COVID, pericarditis, and myocarditis have become very frequent. They both usually present with symptoms like chest pain and can also cause shortness of breath and heart palpitations. They may also both be caused by chronic inflammatory issues such as arthritis, lupus, or other diseases.
Your doctor will be able to tell if you’re suffering from either pericarditis or myocarditis, or both. The important part is to see your cardiologist, who can recommend the correct course of action and book the right tests for you, whether a blood test or a Private Echocardiogram Test.