What is pericarditis?

What is pericarditis?

• A. Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, often causing severe chest pain
• B. A blockage of a coronary artery
• C. Inflammation of the heart muscle
• D. Fluid in the lungs

Answer: (A)

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the double-layered sac that surrounds the heart. This inflammation commonly causes sharp chest pain that may worsen with deep breathing or lying flat and can improve when you sit up and lean forward. A key clue is a pericardial friction rub heard with a stethoscope, and there may be characteristic ECG changes such as diffuse ST elevations. This condition is distinct from other heart problems: a blockage of a coronary artery leads to a heart attack, inflammation of the heart muscle is myocarditis, and fluid in the lungs points to pulmonary edema or pleural effusion rather than pericardial inflammation.

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the double-layered sac that surrounds the heart. This inflammation commonly causes sharp chest pain that may worsen with deep breathing or lying flat and can improve when you sit up and lean forward. A key clue is a pericardial friction rub heard with a stethoscope, and there may be characteristic ECG changes such as diffuse ST elevations. This condition is distinct from other heart problems: a blockage of a coronary artery leads to a heart attack, inflammation of the heart muscle is myocarditis, and fluid in the lungs points to pulmonary edema or pleural effusion rather than pericardial inflammation.