Pericarditis
It's not always clear what causes pericarditis, although a viral infection is usually suspected.
In around 90% of acute pericarditis cases, no obvious cause can be found to explain why the pericardium has become inflamed. Thisis known as idiopathic pericarditis.
Many cases are thought to be the result of viral infections, which can't be detected.
Viral infections associated with acute pericarditis include:
Other less common causes of acute pericarditis include:
The cause of recurring pericarditisis still unknown.
One theory suggests that your immune system may be responsible. Your immune system reacts months or even years after the initial infection that caused acute pericarditis and attacks the heart, leading to inflammation of the pericardium.
Another theory suggests that fragments of the virus may lay inactive in the tissue of the pericardium and suddenly reactivate, triggering the process of inflammation.
People treated with steroids during their first episode of acute pericarditis are six times more likely to develop recurring pericarditis than people who don't receive this treatment. Because of this, steroids are used as a last resort, if you fail to respond to other medications.
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Pericarditis is swelling of the pericardium, which is the fluid-filled sac that surrounds your heart.
The most common symptom of acute pericarditis is chest pain which is worse when lying down.
It's not always clear what causes pericarditis, although a viral infection is usually suspected.
The first stage in the diagnosis of pericarditis is to ask about your symptoms and recent medical history.
Pericarditis is usually treated with medication, although surgery is used in rare cases.
In rare cases, pericarditis can develop into further problems, some of which can be life-threatening.