4. Pericarditis – The Inflammation Intruder
Pericarditis is an inflammation or infection of the pericardium, the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding your heart. Pericarditis can cause chest pain that often worsens when lying down or inhaling deeply and improves when leaning forward.
Pericarditis often starts suddenly but doesn’t last long (acute). It can also develop over time and last longer (chronic). Chest pain from pericarditis is typically sharp and located in the center of the chest. In some cases, the pain may radiate to the shoulder or neck.
Symptoms might also include shortness of breath when reclining, heart palpitations, low-grade fever, an overall sense of weakness or fatigue, or swelling in the legs or abdomen. Pericarditis might present similarly to a heart attack, and it requires immediate medical attention to rule out more severe conditions.
Pericarditis can improve on its own, but severe cases can lead to complications like cardiac tamponade, where fluid accumulates around the heart, impeding its ability to pump blood effectively. As with the other conditions, awareness of the symptoms and timely medical intervention are paramount in handling pericarditis. (4)
