What is pericarditis?

Pericarditis is defined as the inflammation of the pericardium, which is the fibrous sac that surrounds the heart. This inflammatory process can result from a variety of causes, including infections (viral or bacterial), autoimmune disorders, or post-myocardial infarction.

The inflammation can lead to symptoms such as chest pain, which may worsen with deep breathing or lying down, as well as fever and difficulty breathing. Identifying pericarditis is crucial because it can lead to complications such as pericardial effusion (fluid accumulation in the pericardial space) or constrictive pericarditis if not addressed appropriately.

This understanding of pericarditis is essential for differentiating it from other cardiac issues, such as coronary artery disease, which involves blockages in heart arteries, or heart valve disease, which pertains to malfunctions of the heart valves. The weakening of the heart muscle, known as cardiomyopathy, also represents a different pathological condition unrelated to pericarditis. Thus, recognizing the specific definition of pericarditis as inflammation of the pericardium is fundamental in the context of cardiology.